Veterinarian Salary in Wichita, KS: $110,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Wichita, KS earns a median $110,764/year (≈ $53.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $124,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Veterinarians working in Wichita, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $110,764 in 2026, reflecting the influence of corporate versus independent practice structures on compensation. The projected salary range showcases a considerable spread, with earnings starting at $83,266 for the lowest decile and reaching up to $216,820 for the highest. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights this context, demonstrating that the pay for veterinarians in Wichita is notably lower than the national median of $137,334, making local practice conditions an important factor for those considering their options. This pay differential speaks to the larger trends in the veterinary market, particularly the corporate consolidation impacting pay scales and career progression opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,266 | $40.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,934 | $42.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,764 | $53.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,996 | $65.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,820 | $104.24 |
Median Salary Position
19.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,554 (2026 est.). At $110,764, the local median is 19.35% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wichita Veterinarian Pay Compares
Wichita median: $110,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $124,875 | -11.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -19.35% less |
Veterinarians in Wichita, KS earn a median of $110,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.35% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 11.30% below the Kansas state average of $124,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $110,764 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $124,529 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,430
2025 BLS Actual
$104,930
2026 Current Est.
$110,764
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 21.4% from $86,430 (2019) to $104,930 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,493 (35.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $83,266 – $88,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,934 – $110,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,764 – $136,996 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,996 – $216,820 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Wichita
In Wichita, a total of 170 veterinarians are currently employed, an indication of healthy market demand despite competitive pressures. The cost of living index stands at 88.946, which signals potential advantages for take-home purchasing power compared to many other regions. Among employers, corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, which comprise about 25% of the market, typically provide higher compensation, contrasting with independent practices. Variability in salaries is heavily influenced by factors such as specialty board certifications—those in surgery or internal medicine often earn significantly more than general practitioners—as well as production-based compensation models and practice ownership equity potential. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Wichita, strategic choices include pursuing specialty training, seeking employment in larger corporate practices, or negotiating for incentives like sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in areas with staffing shortages.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
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 $104,930 for veterinariansin the Wichita 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