Veterinarian Salary in Waipahu, HI: $160,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Waipahu, HI earns a median $160,544/year (≈ $77.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $134,572 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waipahu, HI, the projected median annual pay for veterinarians in 2026 is $160,544, marking a significant 16.90% higher compensation compared to the national median of $137,334. This salary range spans from $93,116 at the 10th percentile to $248,843 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the high earning potential for veterinarians with specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 while taking into account the local cost of living adjustments. Waipahu's smaller job market, with just nine veterinarians currently employed, suggests a competitive landscape where specialized skills and experience can result in substantial financial rewards.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,116 | $44.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,453 | $59.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,544 | $77.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $197,577 | $94.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,843 | $119.63 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $155,727 (2026 est.). At $160,544, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Veterinarian Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $160,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $163,821 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +16.90% more |
Veterinarians in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $160,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $163,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,544 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,572 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,594
2025 BLS Actual
$152,088
2026 Current Est.
$160,544
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,594 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,333 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,712 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,229 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,470 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $111,594 (2019) to $152,088 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,876 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $93,116 – $123,453 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,453 – $160,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,544 – $197,577 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $197,577 – $248,843 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Waipahu
Despite the promising median salary, the elevated cost of living index in Waipahu, set at 119.3, can affect overall purchasing power for veterinarians. Independent practices often pay less than corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which make up about 25% of the local market and usually offer more competitive packages. The contrast in compensation is significantly influenced by factors such as specialty certifications and ownership stakes in practices. For instance, veterinarians entering mixed practices or large animal facilities may find different pay structures compared to those in high-demand specialty referral hospitals. To maximize earnings in Waipahu, new graduates should consider signing bonuses, which currently range from $50,000 to $150,000 in areas with staffing shortages, and weigh opportunities for potential production-based compensation. Understanding local market dynamics and networking within the community can be instrumental in securing rewarding positions.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $152,088 for veterinariansin the Waipahu metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waipahu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov