Veterinarian Salary in Lombard, IL: $135,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lombard, IL earns a median $135,749/year (≈ $65.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lombard's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,803 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Lombard, Illinois, earn a median annual salary of $135,749 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession extends from $78,734 at the 10th percentile to $210,411 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad scope for income potential depending on experience and practice type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living expenses. Veterinarians working in corporate environments, such as those affiliated with VCA or BluePearl, may have different financial incentives compared to their independent practice colleagues. Given the structural divide between corporate and independent practices, veterinary professionals in Lombard may find varying salary levels and benefits depending on their employer type.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,734 | $37.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,792 | $53.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,749 | $65.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,274 | $83.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,411 | $101.16 |
Median Salary Position
1.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lombard
In Lombard, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,677 (2026 est.). At $135,749, the local median is 1.15% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lombard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lombard Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lombard median: $135,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lombard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,092 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.15% less |
Veterinarians in Lombard, IL earn a median of $135,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $140,092.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lombard 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.
Lombard, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,749 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,803 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,359
2025 BLS Actual
$128,599
2026 Current Est.
$135,749
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,105 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,069 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,726 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,784 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,297 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lombard metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,359 (2019) to $128,599 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,938 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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) | $78,734 – $110,792 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,792 – $135,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,749 – $173,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,274 – $210,411 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lombard
In terms of market dynamics, Lombard currently employs eight veterinarians, which reflects a small but stable sector. The cost of living index for the area stands at 97.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be somewhat constrained compared to the national average. Among local employers, corporate practices, encompassing chains like NVA and AmeriVet, generally offer more competitive salaries, influenced by their corporate structure and production-based compensation models. This model often creates a significant disparity in earnings; specialty veterinarians—those with board certifications from bodies like ACVIM or ACVS—tend to command much higher salaries due to their expertise. To maximize earning potential in Lombard, new graduates or those seeking to elevate their pay could consider gaining specialized certifications, negotiating sign-on bonuses (currently between $50,000 and $150,000 for in-demand positions), and exploring opportunities in corporate settings which often provide defined career advancement tracks.
More salary data for Lombard, 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 $128,599 for veterinariansin the Lombard 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 Lombard 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