Veterinarian Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $136,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $136,518/year (≈ $65.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $140,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Oak Lawn, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $136,518, which places them just slightly below the national average of $137,334. The salary range reflects a diverse job market, with entry-level veterinarians earning approximately $79,532 at the lower end, while experienced professionals can make up to $211,602. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, providing an insightful overview of veterinarian pay in Oak Lawn IL. As the local job market continues to evolve, with an emphasis on specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, those with advanced qualifications are likely to see substantial salary premiums, enhancing the overall compensation picture in this suburban area.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,532 | $38.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,348 | $50.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,518 | $65.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,531 | $83.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,602 | $101.73 |
Median Salary Position
0.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,070 (2026 est.). At $136,518, the local median is 0.59% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Veterinarian Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $136,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,162 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.59% less |
Veterinarians in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $136,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.59% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $140,162.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $136,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,595 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,893
2025 BLS Actual
$129,327
2026 Current Est.
$136,518
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,893 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,774 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,646 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,392 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,327 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,108 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,893 (2019) to $129,327 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,215 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $79,532 – $104,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,348 – $136,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,518 – $174,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,531 – $211,602 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Oak Lawn
The local market currently employs around 14 veterinarians, indicating a modest but stable demand for veterinary services in Oak Lawn. With a cost of living index at 97.1, living expenses in this city are below the national average, allowing for better purchasing power for those in the profession. Among the various types of employers, corporate practices such as VCA and BluePearl account for about a quarter of the market and can offer competitive salaries, particularly for those entering specialty fields. High pay rates in the area often stem from factors such as board certification, production-based compensation models, and potential sign-on bonuses that may reach between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates in in-demand positions. For veterinarians in Oak Lawn, focusing on specialization, building a strong client base, and considering employment with corporate entities may lead to maximizing their earnings in this evolving employment market.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $129,327 for veterinariansin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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