Veterinarian Salary in Gaithersburg, MD: $151,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Gaithersburg, MD earns a median $151,202/year (≈ $72.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Gaithersburg's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $138,337 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Gaithersburg, Maryland, can expect to see a median annual salary of $151,202, a figure that positions them above the national average of $137,334. This rate indicates the influence of local market factors, including the corporate consolidation of veterinary practices, which often leads to a production-based compensation model where earnings are linked to revenue generated. The salary range for veterinarians in Gaithersburg extends from $87,697 at the 10th percentile to $234,363 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, highlight the competitive nature of veterinary pay in the area, strongly influenced by practice type, specialties, and individual productivity.
About the Gaithersburg Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,697 | $42.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,834 | $55.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $151,202 | $72.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,539 | $93.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,363 | $112.67 |
Median Salary Position
10.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gaithersburg
In Gaithersburg, MD, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,666 (2026 est.). At $151,202, the local median is 10.1% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gaithersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gaithersburg Veterinarian Pay Compares
Gaithersburg median: $151,202/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gaithersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $150,151 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +10.10% more |
Veterinarians in Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $151,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $150,151.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gaithersburg has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gaithersburg, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $151,202 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,337 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,100
2025 BLS Actual
$143,238
2026 Current Est.
$151,202
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,273 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,506 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,127 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,926 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,238 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $151,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gaithersburg metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $105,100 (2019) to $143,238 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,509 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gaithersburg 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) | $87,697 – $115,834 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,834 – $151,202 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $151,202 – $193,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,539 – $234,363 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg's job market currently employs around 14 veterinarians, reflecting both a niche appeal and demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in Gaithersburg is recorded at 109.3, which slightly elevates the expenses compared to national averages, impacting disposable income and purchasing power. Corporately owned practices, including chains like VCA and BluePearl, comprise about 25% of the local market and often offer higher salaries due to their structured compensation plans and additional incentives such as sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as board certification in specialties versus general practice, as well as the influence of ownership stakes and practice equity. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Gaithersburg, pursuing specialization and considering the corporate structures of employers could prove beneficial, given the growing trend toward institutionalized veterinary care.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, 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 $143,238 for veterinariansin the Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg 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