Veterinarian Salary in Arlington, MA: $140,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Arlington, MA earns a median $140,304/year (≈ $67.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $129,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington, Massachusetts, the projected veterinarian salary in 2026 is estimated at $140,304, slightly above the national median of $137,334, signaling a robust pay environment influenced by the ongoing corporate consolidation trend within the veterinary field. Salaries in the area exhibit a wide range, from $81,376 at the 10th percentile to $217,472 at the 90th percentile, suggesting substantial variability based on factors such as experience, practice type, and specialty. These numbers, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflect the distinct divide between corporate practices, which typically offer higher consistent pay scales, and independent practices, which may provide greater opportunities for profit-sharing and empowerment paths for ownership.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,376 | $39.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,806 | $52.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,304 | $67.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,581 | $84.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $217,472 | $104.56 |
Median Salary Position
2.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,096 (2026 est.). At $140,304, the local median is 2.16% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Veterinarian Pay Compares
Arlington median: $140,304/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $142,441 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.16% more |
Veterinarians in Arlington, MA earn a median of $140,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.16% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $142,441.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,304 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,312 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$97,525
2025 BLS Actual
$132,914
2026 Current Est.
$140,304
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,525 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,397 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,541 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,773 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $97,525 (2019) to $132,914 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,580 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $81,376 – $108,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,806 – $140,304 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,304 – $176,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,581 – $217,472 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Arlington
The job market in Arlington currently employs just nine veterinarians, indicative of a tightly-knit community that may influence both opportunities and competition. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing power of salaries can be somewhat muted, impacting take-home pay for veterinarians in the area. Among local employers, small animal companion clinics, especially those affiliated with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, tend to offer more competitive salaries than independent practices. This disparity underscores the importance of specialization—board-certified veterinarians pursuing fields like internal medicine or surgery generally command significantly higher compensation compared to generalists. For those in Arlington looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing specialty certification or considering corporate roles might be the most effective strategies for maximizing their income in this evolving market.
More salary data for Arlington, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Arlington, MA in 2026?
Is Arlington, MA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Arlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Arlington?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Arlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $132,914 for veterinariansin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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