Veterinarian Salary in Wheeling, IL: $136,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Wheeling, IL earns a median $136,760/year (≈ $65.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $140,844 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, projections for 2026 indicate a median salary of $136,760 for veterinarians, sitting slightly below the national figure of $137,334. The local salary range reflects a diverse market, with entry-level positions earning around $83,437 and top-tier specialists potentially making as much as $211,978. These estimates, rooted in 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost dynamics, highlight the financial opportunities available for veterinarians in this area. Anyone entering this profession needs to consider that specialization, particularly in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, significantly enhances earning potential, which is essential in the competitive job market of Wheeling.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,437 | $40.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,817 | $52.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,760 | $65.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,053 | $84.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,978 | $101.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,541 (2026 est.). At $136,760, the local median is 0.42% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Veterinarian Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $136,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,123 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.42% less |
Veterinarians in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $136,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $140,123.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $136,760 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,844 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,062
2025 BLS Actual
$129,557
2026 Current Est.
$136,760
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,062 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,836 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,829 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,603 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,557 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $95,062 (2019) to $129,557 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,302 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $83,437 – $109,817 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,817 – $136,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,760 – $175,053 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,053 – $211,978 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Wheeling
While Wheeling employs only six veterinarians, the market remains strong, reflecting a healthy demand despite its size. The local cost of living index is 97.1, which suggests reasonable purchasing power for veterinarians compared to many urban environments. Among various employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which hold approximately 25% of the market share, tend to offer more competitive pay and benefits than independent practices. However, veterinarians with specialty board certifications often enjoy significantly higher salaries, emphasizing the value of focused training and credentials. Pay disparities stem from a mix of factors, including production-based compensation models, sign-on bonuses, and practice ownership opportunities. For those looking to maximize their salary in Wheeling, pursuing specialization and considering corporate practice options may provide the best financial incentives.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $129,557 for veterinariansin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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