Veterinarian Salary in Idaho: $132,818 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $132,818/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $139,368 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boise ($128,517), Nampa ($127,544), Boise City ($127,410).
In 2026, veterinarians in Idaho earn an average median salary of $132,818, which is about 3.3% lower than the national median of $137,334. The highest-paying city is Boise, where salaries reach $135,663, while the lowest is Mountain Home, with salaries at $123,405. This $12,258 salary gap reflects variations in cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and competition among practices, with urban areas like Boise experiencing higher demand and consequently offering better compensation. Idaho requires veterinarians to complete specific licensing processes, including passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and meeting state-specific requirements. Additionally, the state’s scope of practice laws may affect job responsibilities and the complexity of cases handled by veterinarians. The demand for veterinary services in Idaho is driven by a growing pet population and increased focus on animal welfare, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.56% in the profession. With a total of 567 veterinarians employed across 16 metro areas, the job market in Idaho shows a positive outlook for aspiring professionals. Cities such as Nampa, Idaho Falls, and Caldwell also offer competitive salaries, indicating a healthy demand for veterinary services throughout the state.
Idaho Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $71,575 (lowest entry-level) to $210,277 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho veterinarians earn 3.29% less than the national median ($-4,516/year difference).
Idaho Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Idaho range from $77,150 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $189,249 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,818. The Idaho median is $4,516 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $63.85/hr. Approximately 567 veterinarians are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$110,750
2025 BLS Actual
$125,822
2026 Current Est.
$132,818
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,922 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,822 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,818 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,203 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 13.6% from $110,750 (2019) to $125,822 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,203 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,453 (26.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $123,405 |
| Eagle | $124,632 |
| Post Falls | $125,799 |
| Lewiston | $125,860 |
| Kuna | $126,572 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $135,663 | 95.3 | $142,354 |
| Idaho Falls | $134,315 | 94.412 | $142,265 |
| Nampa | $134,635 | 95.3 | $141,275 |
| Caldwell | $131,907 | 95.3 | $138,412 |
| Pocatello | $131,368 | 95.3 | $137,847 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $77,150 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,818 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $189,249 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise | $135,663 |
| 2 | Nampa | $134,635 |
| 3 | Boise City | $134,494 |
| 4 | Idaho Falls | $134,315 |
| 5 | Caldwell | $131,907 |
| 6 | Pocatello | $131,368 |
| 7 | Meridian | $131,367 |
| 8 | Twin Falls | $130,425 |
| 9 | Rexburg | $129,649 |
| 10 | Coeur d'Alene | $127,728 |
| 11 | Moscow | $127,607 |
| 12 | Kuna | $126,572 |
| 13 | Lewiston | $125,860 |
| 14 | Post Falls | $125,799 |
| 15 | Eagle | $124,632 |
| 16 | Mountain Home | $123,405 |
More Idaho Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Idaho?
How does Idaho veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Idaho?
How many veterinarians are employed in Idaho?
Which Idaho city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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