Veterinarian Salary in Urbana, IL: $112,033 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Urbana, IL earns a median $112,033/year (≈ $53.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $115,379 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Urbana, Illinois, the veterinarian salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $112,033 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $137,334. Salaries for veterinarians in the area range significantly, from an entry-level $69,992 to an impressive $173,651 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are reflective of local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, with adjustments made for regional price parities. Such a variance in earnings highlights potential premiums for veterinarians with specialty board certifications, particularly in areas like surgery, internal medicine, and emergency critical care, which can yield considerably higher compensation than general practice roles.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,992 | $33.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,086 | $43.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,033 | $53.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,663 | $68.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,651 | $83.49 |
Median Salary Position
18.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,659 (2026 est.). At $112,033, the local median is 18.42% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Veterinarian Pay Compares
Urbana median: $112,033/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,041 | -20.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -18.42% less |
Veterinarians in Urbana, IL earn a median of $112,033 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.42% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 20.00% below the Illinois state average of $140,041.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana 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.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $112,033 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,379 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,874
2025 BLS Actual
$106,132
2026 Current Est.
$112,033
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,965 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,879 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,237 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,159 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,132 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,033 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $77,874 (2019) to $106,132 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,388 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $69,992 – $91,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,086 – $112,033 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,033 – $142,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,663 – $173,651 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Urbana
Urbana currently employs just six veterinarians, making it a relatively small market compared to more populated areas. The cost of living index in Urbana is registered at 97.1, indicating a lower-than-average living cost which can positively influence the purchasing power of veterinary professionals. Among local employers, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher salaries compared to independent clinics, capturing around 25% of the market share. Factors influencing the substantial disparity in veterinarian pay in Urbana include the type of practice, whether it involves smaller companion animals or larger equine species, and additional compensation structures like production-based pay or profit sharing. To maximize earnings in this specific market, budding veterinarians should consider pursuing specialization, seek employment at corporate or specialty practices, or explore opportunities in areas experiencing veterinary shortages, which may come with sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Urbana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Urbana?
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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 $106,132 for veterinariansin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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