Veterinarian Salary in Lakeville, MN: $134,829 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lakeville, MN earns a median $134,829/year (≈ $64.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lakeville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $136,882 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in Lakeville, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $134,829 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary range reflects the varied nature of the profession, with entry-level veterinarians earning around $80,723 (P10), while those with significant experience or in specialized fields can command as much as $208,985 (P90). These figures represent estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost preferences and the unique economic conditions of the area. Understanding the production-based compensation model prevalent in veterinary practices is vital, as a veterinarian's earnings often correlate with the revenue they generate, further influencing their overall compensation in Lakeville's competitive job market.
About the Lakeville Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,723 | $38.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,329 | $51.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,829 | $64.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,605 | $81.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,985 | $100.47 |
Median Salary Position
1.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakeville
In Lakeville, MN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,262 (2026 est.). At $134,829, the local median is 1.82% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakeville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lakeville median: $134,829/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $137,160 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.82% less |
Veterinarians in Lakeville, MN earn a median of $134,829 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.82% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% below the Minnesota state average of $137,160.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakeville has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakeville, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $134,829 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,882 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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
$93,719
2025 BLS Actual
$127,727
2026 Current Est.
$134,829
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lakeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,719 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,539 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,377 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,727 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,829 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,325 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakeville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $93,719 (2019) to $127,727 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,606 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakeville 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) | $80,723 – $107,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,329 – $134,829 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,829 – $168,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,605 – $208,985 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lakeville
In Lakeville, the job market comprises 15 veterinarians, contributing to a localized professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, living expenses are slightly lower than the national average, which helps stretch the take-home pay for veterinarians. Among the different employment settings, corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer higher pay, particularly due to structured compensation models and available sign-on bonuses, which currently range from $50,000 to $150,000 for fresh graduates in regions of higher demand. The disparity in earnings is significant, driven by factors such as specialization—those with board certifications in surgery or internal medicine often earn much more than their general practice peers—and additional income potential through production-based models. For veterinarians seeking to maximize their pay in Lakeville, pursuing additional certifications and considering employment with corporate groups can be advantageous moves in a shifting industry influenced by consolidation trends.
More salary data for Lakeville, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Lakeville, MN in 2026?
Is Lakeville, MN a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Lakeville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Lakeville?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Lakeville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $127,727 for veterinariansin the Lakeville 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 Lakeville 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