Veterinarian Salary in Carol Stream, IL: $135,837 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Carol Stream, IL earns a median $135,837/year (≈ $65.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Carol Stream's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Carol Stream, Illinois, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $135,837 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $137,334. This figure represents a significant range in pay, from $78,786 at the bottom 10% to $210,547 for the top 10%, reflecting the structural divide between corporate and independent veterinary practices. Corporations like VCA and BluePearl dominate a portion of the market, offering standardized pay scales often associated with higher initial compensation but potentially less flexibility for growth. In contrast, independent practices may provide varied compensation based on practice ownership and specialty services, illustrating the complexity of veterinarian pay in Carol Stream, IL.
About the Carol Stream Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,786 | $37.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,969 | $53.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,837 | $65.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,489 | $83.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,547 | $101.22 |
Median Salary Position
1.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carol Stream
In Carol Stream, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,761 (2026 est.). At $135,837, the local median is 1.09% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carol Stream: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carol Stream Veterinarian Pay Compares
Carol Stream median: $135,837/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carol Stream Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,038 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.09% less |
Veterinarians in Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $135,837 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $140,038.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carol Stream 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.
Carol Stream, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,837 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,894 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,420
2025 BLS Actual
$128,682
2026 Current Est.
$135,837
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,168 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,135 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,802 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,682 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,837 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,389 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carol Stream metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,420 (2019) to $128,682 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,389 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,969 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carol Stream 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) | $78,786 – $110,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,969 – $135,837 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,837 – $173,489 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,489 – $210,547 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Carol Stream
Examining the local job market reveals that only 10 veterinarians are currently employed in the area, suggesting a niche but competitive landscape. The cost of living index in Carol Stream is 97.1, which falls below the national average, thereby positively impacting take-home purchasing power for veterinarians. Among the highest-paying employers are corporate entities and specialized referral hospitals, which typically grant significant salaries for board-certified specialists, such as those in surgery or internal medicine. The disparity in salaries often stems from factors like production-based compensation models and the financial structure of practices. For veterinarians looking to maximize their earnings in Carol Stream, pursuing specialty board certifications, exploring partnership opportunities in independent practices, and understanding the nuances of employee benefits, including sign-on bonuses, are essential strategies in a market impacted by ongoing corporate consolidation.
More salary data for Carol Stream, 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 $128,682 for veterinariansin the Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream 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