Veterinarian Salary in Joliet, IL: $139,197 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Joliet, IL earns a median $139,197/year (≈ $66.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $143,354 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Joliet, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $139,197, surpassing the national median of $137,334 by just over 1%. Salary ranges in this market show significant variability, with entry-level positions earning around $80,734, while top earners can make as much as $215,755 annually. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions. The local job market for veterinarians is competitive yet offers opportunities for higher earnings, particularly for those with specialty board certifications in fields like surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, which generally command premium compensation in the area.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,734 | $38.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,272 | $52.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,197 | $66.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,172 | $85.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,755 | $103.72 |
Median Salary Position
1.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,021 (2026 est.). At $139,197, the local median is 1.36% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Veterinarian Pay Compares
Joliet median: $139,197/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,037 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.36% more |
Veterinarians in Joliet, IL earn a median of $139,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $140,037.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $139,197 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,354 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,755
2025 BLS Actual
$131,865
2026 Current Est.
$139,197
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,755 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,596 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,732 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,661 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,716 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,865 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,197 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $96,755 (2019) to $131,865 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,181 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $80,734 – $108,272 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,272 – $139,197 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,197 – $178,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,172 – $215,755 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Joliet
Looking deeper into the job landscape, Joliet employs approximately 25 veterinarians, making it a modestly sized market. The cost of living index here stands at 97.1, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for veterinarians. Among local employers, corporate practices such as VCA and BluePearl provide some of the highest salaries, especially for those in specialty roles, while independent clinics may offer lower but more stable pay structures. The disparity in income can be attributed to factors such as production-based compensation models, sign-on bonuses—which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates—and the pursuit of ownership equity in practices. For veterinarians looking to maximize their pay in Joliet, pursuing specialty certifications and considering corporate employment options could prove to be advantageous strategies in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $131,865 for veterinariansin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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