Veterinarian Salary in Waukegan, IL: $140,302 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Waukegan, IL earns a median $140,302/year (≈ $67.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $144,492 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $140,302 for veterinarians in Waukegan, IL, local compensation is slightly above the national median of $137,334, reflecting a competitive job market. The salary range is notably broad, spanning from $81,375 at the 10th percentile to $217,468 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential based on experience, specialization, and the practice setting. These figures are grounded in 2026 estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations. As veterinary specialties continue to command higher salaries, the disparity between general practitioners and those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care highlights the importance of advanced qualifications in maximizing earnings in Waukegan's job market.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,375 | $39.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,487 | $51.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,302 | $67.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,615 | $85.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $217,468 | $104.56 |
Median Salary Position
2.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,093 (2026 est.). At $140,302, the local median is 2.16% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Veterinarian Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $140,302/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,162 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.16% more |
Veterinarians in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $140,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.16% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $140,162.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $140,302 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,492 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,523
2025 BLS Actual
$132,912
2026 Current Est.
$140,302
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,523 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,539 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,492 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,674 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,633 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,302 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $97,523 (2019) to $132,912 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,580 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $81,375 – $106,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,487 – $140,302 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,302 – $178,615 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,615 – $217,468 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Waukegan
An examination of the local veterinary landscape reveals that there are currently 18 veterinarians employed in Waukegan, indicative of a modest yet stable job market. With a cost of living index of 97.1, veterinarians can expect their take-home pay to stretch slightly further than in many other regions. Among the various practice settings, corporate chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA typically offer higher salaries compared to independent clinics, largely due to their structured pay models and benefits. The significant wage gap observed can be attributed to several factors, including specialty board certifications, production-based compensation structures, and incentives tied to ownership in practices. For those aiming to maximize their veterinarian pay in Waukegan, focusing on specialization and exploring opportunities with corporate practices may provide lucrative avenues in this evolving field.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 $132,912 for veterinariansin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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