Veterinarian Salary in Boise, ID: $135,663 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Boise, ID earns a median $135,663/year (≈ $65.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Boise's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $142,354 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Boise, Idaho, veterinarian salaries are projected to reach a median of $135,663 in 2026, closely aligned with the national figure of $137,334, but reflecting a slight local decrease of 1.22%. The salary range for veterinarians in this city extends from $78,684 at the 10th percentile to a maximum of $210,277 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, presenting a comprehensive view of compensation within the Boise job market. The landscape here indicates a strong demand for specialized skills, particularly among those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, which command higher premiums in salary compared to general practitioners.
About the Boise Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,684 | $37.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,658 | $47.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,663 | $65.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,648 | $83.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,277 | $101.09 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise
In Boise, ID, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,593 (2026 est.). At $135,663, the local median is 1.22% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boise Veterinarian Pay Compares
Boise median: $135,663/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $130,822 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.22% less |
Veterinarians in Boise, ID earn a median of $135,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.70% above the Idaho state average of $130,822.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boise has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boise, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,663 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,354 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,298
2025 BLS Actual
$128,517
2026 Current Est.
$135,663
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Boise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,298 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,651 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,637 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,663 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,205 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boise metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,298 (2019) to $128,517 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,205 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,907 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise 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) | $78,684 – $99,658 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,658 – $135,663 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,663 – $173,648 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,648 – $210,277 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Boise
Analyzing the veterinarian job market in Boise reveals that while the average compensation is competitive, factors such as local cost of living and employer type significantly influence individual pay. With 60 veterinarians currently employed in the area, the cost-of-living index stands at 95.3, suggesting that the purchasing power for veterinarians can be more favorable than in higher-cost cities. Among local employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which capture about 25% of the market, typically offer higher salaries compared to independent practices. Additionally, the variances in pay can be attributed to elements such as specialty board certifications, production-based compensation models, and enticing sign-on bonuses that now range from $50,000 to $150,000 for recent graduates in high-demand areas. To maximize earnings in Boise, focusing on specialization, considering ownership roles, or exploring opportunities with corporate entities may provide the clearest path to higher veterinarian pay in Boise ID.
More salary data for Boise, ID:
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 $128,517 for veterinariansin the Boise 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 Boise 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