Veterinarian Salary in Evanston, IL: $139,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Evanston, IL earns a median $139,314/year (≈ $66.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $143,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected veterinarian salary in Evanston, IL, for 2026 is $139,314, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $137,334. This favorable positioning in compensation is indicative of the effective production-based compensation model prevalent in the industry, where a veterinarian's salary can vary significantly, ranging from $80,802 at the lower end (P10) to $215,937 at the higher end (P90). The local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, paired with regional price adjustments, highlight the financial potential of veterinary practice in this area. With a growing demand for veterinary services and a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%, the job market in Evanston is poised for further development and opportunities.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,802 | $38.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,547 | $50.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,314 | $66.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,321 | $85.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,937 | $103.82 |
Median Salary Position
1.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,135 (2026 est.). At $139,314, the local median is 1.44% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston Veterinarian Pay Compares
Evanston median: $139,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,155 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.44% more |
Veterinarians in Evanston, IL earn a median of $139,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.44% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $140,155.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston 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.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $139,314 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,475 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$96,837
2025 BLS Actual
$131,976
2026 Current Est.
$139,314
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,837 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,681 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,749 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,798 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,060 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $96,837 (2019) to $131,976 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,060 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,223 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $80,802 – $104,547 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,547 – $139,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,314 – $178,321 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,321 – $215,937 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Evanston
Currently, there are 16 veterinarians practicing in Evanston, creating a relatively small but robust local job market. The cost of living index in Evanston stands at 97.1—below the national average—meaning take-home pay may stretch further for veterinarians compared to those in higher-cost areas. Among the various employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer some of the highest salaries, but independent practices may provide competitive compensation through enhanced ownership equity. Factors affecting salary variance include the pursuit of specialty board certifications, production-based pay structures, and potential sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in shortage areas. To maximize pay in Evanston, veterinarians might consider pursuing specialization, negotiating contracts that align with production-based models, and seeking opportunities in well-funded corporate practices.
More salary data for Evanston, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Evanston, IL in 2026?
Is Evanston, IL a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Evanston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Evanston?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Evanston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $131,976 for veterinariansin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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