Veterinarian Salary in Oak Park, IL: $139,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Oak Park, IL earns a median $139,081/year (≈ $66.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $143,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Oak Park, IL, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $139,081, slightly above the national median of $137,334. The overall salary range for this profession in Oak Park shows significant variability, with figures spanning from $80,667 at the 10th percentile to as high as $215,575 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the strong demand for veterinary services in the area, especially as specialty areas like surgery and internal medicine continue to attract board-certified professionals who command higher salaries. Oak Park’s job market for veterinarians, while accommodating a modest number of ten employed professionals, highlights a competitive atmosphere with expectations for growth in the coming years.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,667 | $38.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,436 | $54.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,081 | $66.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,591 | $84.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,575 | $103.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,908 (2026 est.). At $139,081, the local median is 1.27% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Veterinarian Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $139,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,061 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.27% more |
Veterinarians in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $139,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.27% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $140,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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 Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $139,081 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,235 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,674
2025 BLS Actual
$131,755
2026 Current Est.
$139,081
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,674 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,647 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,574 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,615 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,601 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,813 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $96,674 (2019) to $131,755 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,813 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,139 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $80,667 – $112,436 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,436 – $139,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,081 – $175,591 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,591 – $215,575 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Oak Park
While the average cost of living in Oak Park sits below the national average with a CoL index of 97.1, this figure impacts the take-home purchasing power for veterinarians in the area. Many local employers, including corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, dominate the market, but independent practices also play a significant role in compensation structures. The disparity between lower and higher salaries is often driven by factors like specialty board certification, production-based compensation models, and the potential for ownership stakes in practices. New graduates or those entering the field might consider negotiating for sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, especially in areas facing staff shortages. Tailoring credentials toward niche specialties and pursuing roles in well-funded corporate environments can enhance earning potential in the local market, making strategic career planning essential for maximizing veterinarian pay in Oak Park, IL.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $131,755 for veterinariansin the Oak Park 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 Park 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