Veterinarian Salary in University City, MO: $106,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in University City, MO earns a median $106,899/year (≈ $51.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in University City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $119,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in University City, Missouri, can anticipate a median annual salary of $106,899, significantly lower than the national median of $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians in this area spans from $62,001 at the 10th percentile to $165,692 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy variability in income potential depending on experience, specialization, and practice type. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, reflect the regional economic context, including the ongoing corporate consolidation within veterinary practices affecting compensation structures. As established corporate entities increasingly dominate the sector, independent practice outcomes can differ markedly, contributing to this unique employment landscape in University City.
About the University City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,001 | $29.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,004 | $39.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,899 | $51.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,692 | $79.66 |
Median Salary Position
22.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University City
In University City, MO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,691 (2026 est.). At $106,899, the local median is 22.16% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University City Veterinarian Pay Compares
University City median: $106,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $108,416 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -22.16% less |
Veterinarians in University City, MO earn a median of $106,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.16% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $108,416.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University City has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $106,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,305
2025 BLS Actual
$101,268
2026 Current Est.
$106,899
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,255 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,376 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,706 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,634 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,842 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University City metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $74,305 (2019) to $101,268 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,842 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,537 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University City 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) | $62,001 – $83,004 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,004 – $106,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,899 – $134,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,680 – $165,692 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in University City
The local job market currently employs six veterinarians, which drives a competitive environment for those practicing in University City. With a cost of living index of 89.6, veterinarians may find that their take-home pay stretches further than in many urban areas, allowing for a more manageable lifestyle despite the lower salary averages. Among the various employment settings, large companies like VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher salaries compared to independent clinics, due to their structured pay scales and corporate benefits. The disparity in earnings corresponds to additional factors, such as specialization in areas like surgery or emergency medicine, practice ownership, and potential bonuses for new graduates in underserved areas. To maximize earning potential, veterinarians should consider pursuing board certification, exploring partnership opportunities in independent practices, and staying informed about emerging trends in corporate practice models that could alter compensation dynamics in University City, MO.
More salary data for University City, MO:
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 $101,268 for veterinariansin the University City 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 University City 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