Veterinarian Salary in Chicago, IL: $156,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Chicago, IL earns a median $156,999/year (≈ $75.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $151,551 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Chicago, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $156,999, which positions the city's veterinarian pay significantly above the national median of $137,334, representing a 14.32% premium. Salaries within the profession exhibit considerable variability, with a salary range spanning from $85,261 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $305,396 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, highlight the potential for specialized veterinarians, particularly those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care, to command higher salaries within the Chicago job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,261 | $40.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,908 | $58.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,999 | $75.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,352 | $99.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $305,396 | $146.82 |
Median Salary Position
14.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $220,135 (2026 est.). At $156,999, the local median is 14.32% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Veterinarian Pay Compares
Chicago median: $156,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,053 | +12.10% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +14.32% more |
Veterinarians in Chicago, IL earn a median of $156,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.32% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 12.10% above the Illinois state average of $140,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $156,999 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,551 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,690
2025 BLS Actual
$148,730
2026 Current Est.
$156,999
2019–2027 Growth
+69.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 52.2% from $97,690 (2019) to $148,730 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $68,039 (69.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $85,261 – $120,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,908 – $156,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,999 – $207,352 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,352 – $305,396 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Chicago
The local job market for veterinarians in Chicago is robust, with approximately 1,530 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 103.595, slightly above the national average, can impact take-home purchasing power. Employers such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate the market, paying well among small animal companion clinics. Factors influencing salary disparities include board certifications, production-based compensation models, and the structure of independent versus corporate practices. Newly graduated veterinarians in shortage areas may see significant offers, such as sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. To maximize earnings, strategies like pursuing specialty certifications, exploring corporate partnerships, and considering equity in practice ownership will be crucial for those engaged in the veterinarian salary in Chicago.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Chicago?
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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 $148,730 for veterinariansin the Chicago 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
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