Veterinarian Salary in Caldwell, ID: $131,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Caldwell, ID earns a median $131,907/year (≈ $63.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Caldwell's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $138,412 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Caldwell, Idaho, the 2026 median annual compensation for veterinarians reaches $131,907, a figure that reflects both local market conditions and national trends. With salaries ranging from a lower threshold of $76,506 to a peak of $204,455, there's a broad spectrum of potential earnings for veterinary professionals. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, highlight the implications of practice structure on financial outcomes. The divide between corporate and independent practices significantly influences veterinarian pay in Caldwell ID, as larger corporate entities often provide structured pay scales while independent clinics may offer more flexibility and potential for profit-sharing.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,506 | $36.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,168 | $51.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,907 | $63.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,065 | $79.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,455 | $98.30 |
Median Salary Position
3.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Caldwell
In Caldwell, ID, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,949 (2026 est.). At $131,907, the local median is 3.95% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Caldwell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Caldwell Veterinarian Pay Compares
Caldwell median: $131,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Caldwell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $130,860 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -3.95% less |
Veterinarians in Caldwell, ID earn a median of $131,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $130,860.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Caldwell 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.
Caldwell, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $131,907 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,412 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,688
2025 BLS Actual
$124,959
2026 Current Est.
$131,907
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,688 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,328 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,404 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,394 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,575 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,241 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Caldwell metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,688 (2019) to $124,959 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,241 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,553 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caldwell 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) | $76,506 – $106,168 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,168 – $131,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,907 – $166,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,065 – $204,455 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Caldwell
The local job market employs just eight veterinarians, indicating a relatively small but potentially close-knit community. The cost of living index in Caldwell, at 95.3, suggests that while salaries might not rival larger metropolitan areas, they provide a favorable purchasing power compared to national averages. Among the various practice types, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer higher salaries, particularly in specialty roles, due to their structured pay scales and additional incentives like sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas. The disparity in earnings is also driven by factors such as specialty board certification and production-based compensation models, wherein veterinarians may earn a percentage of the revenue they generate. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Caldwell, it might be beneficial to consider gaining specialized certifications or exploring equity partnerships in practices, which could enhance long-term financial prospects.
More salary data for Caldwell, 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 $124,959 for veterinariansin the Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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