Veterinarian Salary in Belleville, IL: $133,629 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Belleville, IL earns a median $133,629/year (≈ $64.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Belleville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $137,620 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, veterinarians in Belleville, Illinois are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,629, which is slightly below the national average of $137,334. This salary reflects a wide range of compensation, with entry-level positions starting around $80,610 and seasoned professionals earning up to $207,126. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations, and highlight the competitive pay landscape that characterizes Belleville's veterinary market. As specialty areas in veterinary medicine continue to grow, those with board certifications in fields like surgery or internal medicine can expect to earn significantly more, reinforcing the trend toward specialization in this field.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,610 | $38.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,522 | $51.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,629 | $64.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,307 | $80.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,126 | $99.57 |
Median Salary Position
2.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belleville
In Belleville, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,516 (2026 est.). At $133,629, the local median is 2.7% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belleville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Belleville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Belleville median: $133,629/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belleville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,073 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -2.70% less |
Veterinarians in Belleville, IL earn a median of $133,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $140,073.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belleville 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.
Belleville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $133,629 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,620 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,885
2025 BLS Actual
$126,591
2026 Current Est.
$133,629
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,663 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,475 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,991 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,591 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,629 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belleville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $92,885 (2019) to $126,591 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,174 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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) | $80,610 – $106,522 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,522 – $133,629 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,629 – $168,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,307 – $207,126 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Belleville
The job market for veterinarians in Belleville features approximately ten employed professionals, signaling a steady demand for veterinary services in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, residents can expect their earnings to stretch further compared to many urban counterparts, enhancing take-home purchasing power. The highest-paying employers in this region typically include specialty referral hospitals and larger corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which represent around 25% of the market. Factors such as board certification, production-based compensation models, and the allure of equity in practice ownership can lead to substantial variances in pay. For those looking to maximize veterinarian pay in Belleville IL, pursuing advanced certifications, aligning with larger corporate practices, or considering a mixed animal or specialty practice could prove advantageous.
More salary data for Belleville, 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 $126,591 for veterinariansin the Belleville 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 Belleville 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