Veterinarian Salary in College Park, MD: $146,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in College Park, MD earns a median $146,528/year (≈ $70.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in College Park's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $134,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in College Park, Maryland, can anticipate a median annual salary of $146,528 in 2026, showing a competitive advantage of 6.69% over the national median of $137,334. The range for veterinarian compensation extends from $84,986 at the 10th percentile to $227,119 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the substantial impact of specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care on earnings. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing indicate that veterinarians who pursue advanced credentials may position themselves for significantly higher earnings in a market characterized by demand and increasing growth.
About the College Park Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,986 | $40.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,991 | $53.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,528 | $70.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,556 | $90.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,119 | $109.19 |
Median Salary Position
6.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Park
In College Park, MD, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,133 (2026 est.). At $146,528, the local median is 6.69% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Park Veterinarian Pay Compares
College Park median: $146,528/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $150,131 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +6.69% more |
Veterinarians in College Park, MD earn a median of $146,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.40% below the Maryland state average of $150,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Park has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Park, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,528 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,060 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,851
2025 BLS Actual
$138,810
2026 Current Est.
$146,528
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in College Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,851 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,895 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,173 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,074 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Park metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $101,851 (2019) to $138,810 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,824 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Park 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) | $84,986 – $111,991 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,991 – $146,528 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,528 – $187,556 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,556 – $227,119 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in College Park
Currently, six veterinarians are employed in College Park, which underscores a tight-knit local job market. With a cost of living index of 109.3, the economic reality is that while salaries may appear robust, the purchasing power remains slightly constrained compared to national averages. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals and university teaching hospitals, such as those affiliated with the University of Maryland, tend to pay the most. Factors contributing to the salary differential include the pursuit of specialty board certifications, production-based compensation models, and potential equity shares in practices, with recent sign-on bonuses for new graduates reaching from $50,000 to $150,000 in high-demand areas. To maximize earning potential, veterinarians should consider aligning with corporate practices for structured pay scales or exploring specialty training that can elevate their marketability and, consequently, their financial rewards in this evolving industry.
More salary data for College Park, MD:
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 $138,810 for veterinariansin the College Park 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 College Park 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