Veterinarian Salary in Elmhurst, IL: $132,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Elmhurst, IL earns a median $132,532/year (≈ $63.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Elmhurst's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $136,490 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Elmhurst, Illinois, earn a median annual salary of $132,532, which reflects the competitive nature of the profession in this area. The income range for veterinarians varies significantly, with earnings as low as $78,181 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $205,424 for those in the 90th percentile. These salary estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, suggest that specialized veterinarians, particularly those with board certifications in areas like surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care, can command higher wages. The local job market for this profession remains robust, with a notable concentration of employment for veterinarians in the Elmhurst region.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,181 | $37.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,342 | $50.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,532 | $63.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,458 | $79.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,424 | $98.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,243 (2026 est.). At $132,532, the local median is 3.5% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmhurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmhurst Veterinarian Pay Compares
Elmhurst median: $132,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmhurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,097 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -3.50% less |
Veterinarians in Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $132,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $140,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmhurst 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.
Elmhurst, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $132,532 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,490 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,122
2025 BLS Actual
$125,551
2026 Current Est.
$132,532
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,122 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,649 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,936 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,063 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,551 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmhurst metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $92,122 (2019) to $125,551 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,778 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmhurst 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) | $78,181 – $104,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,342 – $132,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,532 – $165,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,458 – $205,424 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Elmhurst
Examining the local job market reveals that Elmhurst currently employs nine veterinarians, indicating a relatively small but stable community of veterinary professionals. The cost of living index in Elmhurst stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which can affect the purchasing power of local veterinarians. Corporate entities, such as VCA and BluePearl, typically offer competitive pay packages, particularly for positions in specialty clinics, which are experiencing a rising demand for focused care. Factors influencing salary disparities include whether a veterinarian holds board certifications and whether they are part of independent practices or corporate chains, which often create differences in pay structures and incentives. To maximize compensation in Elmhurst, veterinarians should consider specializing and exploring opportunities with corporate practices that offer production-based compensation models and lucrative sign-on bonuses, especially for recent graduates in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Elmhurst, 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 $125,551 for veterinariansin the Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst 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