Veterinarian Salary in Lewiston, ID: $125,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lewiston, ID earns a median $125,860/year (≈ $60.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $132,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lewiston, Idaho, veterinarians are projected to earn a median annual salary of $125,860 in 2026, which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $137,334 for the same year. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting around $77,600 and experienced veterinarians making up to $195,083. These figures are derived from localized estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. This compensation landscape reflects a strong production-based model in veterinary practices, where a portion of income is generated from the revenue veterinarians actively produce, creating opportunities for higher earnings based on performance.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,600 | $37.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,568 | $48.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,860 | $60.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,533 | $76.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,083 | $93.79 |
Median Salary Position
8.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,483 (2026 est.). At $125,860, the local median is 8.35% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $125,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $130,832 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -8.35% less |
Veterinarians in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $125,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.80% below the Idaho state average of $130,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston 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.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $125,860 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,067 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,485
2025 BLS Actual
$119,231
2026 Current Est.
$125,860
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,858 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $87,485 (2019) to $119,231 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,858 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,373 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $77,600 – $101,568 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,568 – $125,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,860 – $159,533 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,533 – $195,083 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lewiston
The local job market in Lewiston consists of only eight employed veterinarians, which speaks to a tightly knit professional community. The cost of living index is below the national average at 95.3, allowing for better purchasing power relative to salary. Among the veterinary employers in the area, larger corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl are known to offer the most competitive compensation packages, especially in terms of benefits and potential sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in high-demand areas. The widening pay gaps in the field here arise from factors such as specialty training, with board-certified veterinarians earning significantly more than general practitioners. Those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Lewiston, ID, should consider specializing and potentially exploring opportunities within corporate practices, which may provide additional incentives and structured pathways to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Lewiston, 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 $119,231 for veterinariansin the Lewiston 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 Lewiston 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