Veterinarian Salary in Topeka, KS: $113,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Topeka, KS earns a median $113,994/year (≈ $54.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Topeka's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $128,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, KS, veterinarians earn a median annual salary of $113,994, reflecting the revenues they generate within a production-based compensation model that shapes their pay. The salary range for veterinarians in this area spans from $84,976 at the 10th percentile to $216,504 at the 90th percentile, based on data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026. With a percentage below the national median salary of $137,334, Topeka's veterinarian salary indicates a competitive market driven by local demand and service needs. This understanding of the financial landscape is vital for both new entrants and seasoned professionals in the field, especially given the evolving practices in Kansas's veterinary sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,976 | $40.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,243 | $43.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,994 | $54.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,755 | $64.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,504 | $104.09 |
Median Salary Position
17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
In Topeka, KS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,528 (2026 est.). At $113,994, the local median is 17% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Topeka: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Topeka Veterinarian Pay Compares
Topeka median: $113,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Topeka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $124,857 | -8.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -17.00% less |
Veterinarians in Topeka, KS earn a median of $113,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.00% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 8.70% below the Kansas state average of $124,857.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Topeka has a cost of living 11.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Topeka, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $113,994 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,343 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.59% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,310
2025 BLS Actual
$107,990
2026 Current Est.
$113,994
2019–2027 Growth
+0.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,332 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Topeka metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew -9.5% from $119,310 (2019) to $107,990 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,332 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,022 (0.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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) | $84,976 – $90,243 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,243 – $113,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,994 – $133,755 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,755 – $216,504 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Topeka
Currently, approximately 80 veterinarians are employed in Topeka, where a cost-of-living index of 88.82 suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Corporate chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate the area, accounting for roughly 25% of the market and often offering higher salaries compared to independent practices. This disparity is influenced by factors such as specialty board certification in surgery or internal medicine, which can significantly boost earnings, and production-based compensation tied to revenue generation. Mixed practices may also present unique opportunities for local veterinarians looking to maximize earnings through ownership equity or sign-on bonuses, an attractive option in Topeka's competitive hiring landscape where new graduates might secure $50,000 to $150,000 bonuses. For those seeking to enhance their veterinarian pay in Topeka, aligning with corporate entities offering lucrative incentives or pursuing specialty certifications can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Topeka?
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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 $107,990 for veterinariansin the Topeka 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