Veterinarian Salary in Illinois: $149,182 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $149,182/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $153,637 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($150,283), Chicago ($148,730), Elgin ($147,403).
The veterinary profession in Illinois shows a promising outlook, with a projected average median salary of $149,182 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $137,334 by 8.6%. Salary variations across the state are notable, with Naperville leading at $158,639, while Urbana ranks lowest at $112,033, creating a substantial difference of $46,606. This disparity can be attributed to regional cost of living, the concentration of affluent pet owners, and differences in demand for veterinary services. Illinois has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that veterinarians must navigate. The demand for animal healthcare is driven by population density, pet ownership rates, and an increase in pet spending, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%. In total, there were 2,407 veterinarians employed in the state, reflecting a healthy job market. Key cities projected to have higher salaries include Chicago at $156,999, Elgin at $155,599, Peoria at $143,414, and Decatur at $142,055. Understanding these factors is essential for anyone considering a career in veterinary medicine in Illinois.
Illinois Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $55,039 (lowest entry-level) to $399,397 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois veterinarians earn 8.63% more than the national median (+$11,848/year difference).
Illinois Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Illinois range from $81,948 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $278,154 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $149,182. The Illinois median is $11,848 above the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $71.73/hr. Approximately 2,407 veterinarians are employed across 64 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$97,331
2025 BLS Actual
$141,324
2026 Current Est.
$149,182
2019–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,217 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,322 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,182 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 45.2% from $97,331 (2019) to $141,324 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,146 (61.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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 Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urbana | $112,033 |
| Champaign | $112,443 |
| Springfield | $120,222 |
| Carbondale | $131,225 |
| Rock Island | $131,648 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $158,639 | 97.1 | $163,377 |
| Elgin | $155,599 | 97.1 | $160,246 |
| Peoria | $143,414 | 91.231 | $157,199 |
| Rockford | $140,099 | 92.154 | $152,027 |
| Chicago | $156,999 | 103.595 | $151,551 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,948 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $149,182 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $278,154 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 64 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | $158,639 |
| 2 | Chicago | $156,999 |
| 3 | Elgin | $155,599 |
| 4 | Peoria | $143,414 |
| 5 | Decatur | $142,055 |
| 6 | Orland Park | $142,055 |
| 7 | Bolingbrook | $141,444 |
| 8 | Palatine | $140,379 |
| 9 | Waukegan | $140,302 |
| 10 | Rockford | $140,099 |
| 11 | Mount Prospect | $140,035 |
| 12 | Hoffman Estates | $139,580 |
| 13 | Evanston | $139,314 |
| 14 | Joliet | $139,197 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $139,081 |
| 16 | Danville | $138,793 |
| 17 | Addison | $138,500 |
| 18 | Berwyn | $138,438 |
| 19 | Aurora | $138,348 |
| 20 | Tinley Park | $138,327 |
| 21 | Northbrook | $138,184 |
| 22 | St. Charles | $138,098 |
| 23 | Gurnee | $138,065 |
| 24 | Arlington Heights | $137,872 |
| 25 | Wheaton | $137,695 |
| 26 | Woodridge | $137,652 |
| 27 | Schaumburg | $137,583 |
| 28 | Buffalo Grove | $137,544 |
| 29 | Bartlett | $137,532 |
| 30 | Lake in the Hills | $137,021 |
| 31 | Collinsville | $137,000 |
| 32 | Skokie | $136,962 |
| 33 | Wheeling | $136,760 |
| 34 | Carpentersville | $136,608 |
| 35 | Oak Lawn | $136,518 |
| 36 | O'Fallon | $136,489 |
| 37 | Quincy | $135,956 |
| 38 | Algonquin | $135,956 |
| 39 | Bloomington | $135,907 |
| 40 | Carol Stream | $135,837 |
| 41 | Normal | $135,830 |
| 42 | Lombard | $135,749 |
| 43 | Cicero | $135,608 |
| 44 | Plainfield | $135,467 |
| 45 | Des Plaines | $135,442 |
| 46 | Oswego | $134,924 |
| 47 | DeKalb | $134,815 |
| 48 | Park Ridge | $134,706 |
| 49 | Hanover Park | $134,651 |
| 50 | Glenview | $134,641 |
| 51 | Romeoville | $134,097 |
| 52 | Streamwood | $133,912 |
| 53 | Moline | $133,719 |
| 54 | Downers Grove | $133,662 |
| 55 | Belleville | $133,629 |
| 56 | Crystal Lake | $133,412 |
| 57 | Galesburg | $132,901 |
| 58 | Calumet City | $132,858 |
| 59 | Elmhurst | $132,532 |
| 60 | Rock Island | $131,648 |
| 61 | Carbondale | $131,225 |
| 62 | Springfield | $120,222 |
| 63 | Champaign | $112,443 |
| 64 | Urbana | $112,033 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Compare Cities in Illinois
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Illinois?
How does Illinois veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Illinois?
How many veterinarians are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois 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 Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 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