Veterinarian Salary in Plainfield, IL: $135,467 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Plainfield, IL earns a median $135,467/year (≈ $65.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Plainfield, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $135,467. This figure places local veterinarian pay slightly below the national median of $137,334, reflecting the broader dynamics between corporate and independent practice structures. The salary range for veterinarians in the area varies greatly, with entry-level positions starting at $84,167 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $209,975 annually. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, provide a nuanced understanding of the income landscape for veterinary professionals in Plainfield. The local job market consists of a small cohort of 11 veterinarians, suggesting a tight-knit community where career choices may significantly impact earning potential.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,167 | $40.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,218 | $52.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,467 | $65.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,581 | $82.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,975 | $100.95 |
Median Salary Position
1.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,808 (2026 est.). At $135,467, the local median is 1.36% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Veterinarian Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $135,467/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,090 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.36% less |
Veterinarians in Plainfield, IL earn a median of $135,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $140,090.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield 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.
Plainfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,467 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,513 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
$94,163
2025 BLS Actual
$128,332
2026 Current Est.
$135,467
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,163 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,901 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,545 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,467 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,999 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,163 (2019) to $128,332 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,999 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,836 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $84,167 – $110,218 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,218 – $135,467 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,467 – $172,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,581 – $209,975 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Plainfield
The cost-of-living index in Plainfield is 97.1, indicating that, while salaries may be lower than the national average, the relatively affordable living conditions can improve overall purchasing power for veterinarians. Within this local economy, large animal practices and specialty referral hospitals tend to offer the highest salaries, likely due to the specialized skills and training required. Furthermore, major corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA account for about 25% of the market and influence pay scales through different compensation models. Those seeking to maximize their veterinarian salary in Plainfield IL should consider acquiring specialty board certifications or exploring corporate employment where production-based models can offer significant earnings boosts. Engaging in ownership opportunities and negotiating sign-on bonuses—as high as $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas—can also enhance financial outcomes in this evolving veterinary market.
More salary data for Plainfield, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Plainfield, IL in 2026?
Is Plainfield, IL a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Plainfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Plainfield?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Plainfield?
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 $128,332 for veterinariansin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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