Veterinarian Salary in Kansas: $113,175 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $113,175/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $124,505 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($123,269), Overland Park ($120,194), Lawrence ($119,584).
In Kansas, the average median salary for veterinarians in 2026 is projected at $113,175, which is 17.6% lower than the national median of $137,334. The highest-paying city is Kansas City, where veterinarians can expect to earn $130,123, while Manhattan offers the lowest average salary at $85,831, resulting in a significant salary gap of $44,292. This difference is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of animal health facilities in urban areas. To practice as a veterinarian in Kansas, licensing requirements include graduating from an accredited veterinary program and passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. The state has specific scope of practice laws that might affect the responsibilities and duties veterinarians can assume, which can affect salary ranges. The job market for veterinarians shows a promising outlook with a projected growth rate of 5.56% annually, indicating increasing demand for veterinary services statewide. Major metropolitan areas like Overland Park, Lawrence, Olathe, and Lenexa also offer salaries that exceed the state average, reflecting localized demand and economic conditions. Understanding these regional variations can help veterinarians make informed career choices in Kansas.
Kansas Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $44,652 (lowest entry-level) to $216,820 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas veterinarians earn 17.59% less than the national median ($-24,159/year difference).
Kansas Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Kansas range from $74,510 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $195,904 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $113,175. The Kansas median is $24,159 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $54.41/hr. Approximately 533 veterinarians are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$94,033
2025 BLS Actual
$107,214
2026 Current Est.
$113,175
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,033 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,354 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,036 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,671 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,175 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 14.0% from $94,033 (2019) to $107,214 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,434 (27.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $130,123 | 90.9 | $143,150 |
| Overland Park | $126,877 | 90.9 | $139,579 |
| Lawrence | $126,233 | 90.9 | $138,870 |
| Olathe | $125,263 | 90.9 | $137,803 |
| Lenexa | $124,958 | 90.9 | $137,468 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,510 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $113,175 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $195,904 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $130,123 |
| 2 | Overland Park | $126,877 |
| 3 | Lawrence | $126,233 |
| 4 | Olathe | $125,263 |
| 5 | Lenexa | $124,958 |
| 6 | Garden City | $123,721 |
| 7 | Derby | $123,101 |
| 8 | Hutchinson | $122,123 |
| 9 | Leavenworth | $122,084 |
| 10 | Shawnee | $121,695 |
| 11 | Salina | $120,795 |
| 12 | Leawood | $120,127 |
| 13 | Dodge City | $118,103 |
| 14 | Junction City | $117,727 |
| 15 | Prairie Village | $117,229 |
| 16 | Hays | $116,881 |
| 17 | Liberal | $116,431 |
| 18 | Gardner | $115,764 |
| 19 | Emporia | $115,248 |
| 20 | Topeka | $113,994 |
| 21 | Wichita | $110,764 |
| 22 | Manhattan | $85,831 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Kansas?
How does Kansas veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Kansas?
How many veterinarians are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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