Veterinarian Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $135,442 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $135,442/year (≈ $65.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median veterinarian salary in Des Plaines, Illinois, stands at $135,442, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians locally varies widely, with earnings projected between $78,557 at the 10th percentile to $209,935 at the 90th percentile. This disparity reflects the structural divide between corporate and independent practices in the area. Corporate entities often provide competitive pay rates, yet independent clinics may offer alternative benefits that could appeal to certain veterinarians. These salary estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional cost of living indicate that Des Plaines's veterinary job market remains nuanced and influenced by a mix of corporate consolidation trends and local demand.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,557 | $37.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,264 | $49.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,442 | $65.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,894 | $82.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,935 | $100.93 |
Median Salary Position
1.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,378 (2026 est.). At $135,442, the local median is 1.38% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Veterinarian Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $135,442/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,064 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.38% less |
Veterinarians in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $135,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.38% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $140,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,442 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,487 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,145
2025 BLS Actual
$128,308
2026 Current Est.
$135,442
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,883 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,838 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,524 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,308 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,442 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,145 (2019) to $128,308 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,827 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $78,557 – $102,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,264 – $135,442 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,442 – $171,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,894 – $209,935 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Des Plaines
Despite a relatively small pool of 12 employed veterinarians in Des Plaines, competition in the job market remains robust. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, veterinarians may find their purchasing power enhanced compared to many larger metropolitan areas. Among local employers, corporate chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA typically offer higher salaries, especially for specialty veterinarians who have pursued advanced training and board certification. The gap in earnings is also influenced by factors such as production-based compensation models and the current demand for new graduates, attracting sign-on bonuses that can reach up to $150,000 in shortage areas. To maximize earning potential in Des Plaines, it is advisable for veterinarians to consider specialty certifications, explore corporate practice opportunities, and leverage their negotiating power when entering contracts.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $128,308 for veterinariansin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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