Veterinarian Salary in Rockford, IL: $140,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Rockford, IL earns a median $140,099/year (≈ $67.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $152,027 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Rockford, Illinois command a median annual salary of $140,099, slightly above the national average of $137,334. The compensation spectrum in this city is broad, ranging from $66,387 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $399,397 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the potential for significant earnings depending on factors such as experience, specialization, and practice setting. Rockford's veterinary job market remains competitive; with around 50 veterinarians employed in the area, the city reflects a vibrant landscape shaped by both corporate and independent practice pathways.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,387 | $31.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,998 | $44.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,099 | $67.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $202,095 | $97.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $399,397 | $192.01 |
Median Salary Position
2.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $333,010 (2026 est.). At $140,099, the local median is 2.01% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Rockford Veterinarian Pay Compares
Rockford median: $140,099/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.01% more |
Veterinarians in Rockford, IL earn a median of $140,099 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.01% higher than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $140,099 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,027 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,000
2025 BLS Actual
$132,720
2026 Current Est.
$140,099
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,889 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 13.4% from $117,000 (2019) to $132,720 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,889 (26.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $66,387 – $92,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,998 – $140,099 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,099 – $202,095 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $202,095 – $399,397 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Rockford
The financial dynamics for veterinarians in Rockford are influenced by the local cost-of-living index, which stands at 92.154, suggesting that salaries stretch further compared to larger urban areas. Employment opportunities within corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA often offer the most lucrative pay structures, accounting for approximately 25% of the market share. Specialization in fields such as surgery or internal medicine can lead to substantial pay differentials, with board-certified professionals often earning two to three times more than general practitioners. Crucial factors driving compensation include production-based incentive structures, the allure of sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas, and the ownership stakes in practices. For veterinarians looking to maximize their pay in Rockford, pursuing specialty certification and considering corporate positions may prove beneficial in navigating this evolving job market.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $132,720 for veterinariansin the Rockford 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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