Veterinarian Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $137,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $137,872/year (≈ $66.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $141,990 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Arlington Heights, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $137,872, slightly above the national median of $137,334. Salary ranges vary significantly, with entry-level roles earning around $83,039 and top earners making as much as $213,702. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. The chiropractic nature of veterinary practice in Arlington Heights reflects a bifurcation between corporate and independent practice settings, with corporate hospitals generally offering competitive pay alongside benefits structured around production metrics. As veterinary practices increasingly consolidate into larger chains, the implications for salary expectations and employee benefits are particularly pronounced, impacting pay scales and career trajectories within the region.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,039 | $39.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,016 | $52.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,872 | $66.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,476 | $84.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,702 | $102.74 |
Median Salary Position
0.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,663 (2026 est.). At $137,872, the local median is 0.39% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Veterinarian Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $137,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,114 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.39% more |
Veterinarians in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $137,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $140,114.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $137,872 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,990 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,834
2025 BLS Actual
$130,610
2026 Current Est.
$137,872
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,834 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,639 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,665 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,567 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,578 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,538 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $95,834 (2019) to $130,610 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,538 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,704 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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) | $83,039 – $110,016 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,016 – $137,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,872 – $176,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,476 – $213,702 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Arlington Heights
The job market for veterinarians in Arlington Heights is relatively stable, with only 18 practicing vets currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, which indicates a moderately affordable setting for veterinarians, enhancing their take-home purchasing power. Among employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer higher salaries compared to independent practices. Factors such as specialty board certifications, production-based compensation models, and potential signing bonuses significantly influence pay disparities. With sign-on bonuses reaching between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas, emerging veterinarians should consider practicing in specialized fields or exploring corporate roles to maximize their earnings. Strategies that focus on leveraging niche skills and embracing practice ownership can also prove beneficial for those seeking to enhance their earning potential in Arlington Heights.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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 $130,610 for veterinariansin the Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights 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