Veterinarian Salary in Reno, NV: $132,509 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Reno, NV earns a median $132,509/year (≈ $63.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Reno's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $131,179 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Nevada state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian salary in Reno, NV, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $132,509, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. Salaries for veterinarians in the area vary considerably, ranging from $105,571 at the 10th percentile to $180,592 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 through compound annual growth rate analysis. This approach highlights how a production-based compensation model influences effective pay, with revenue generation significantly affecting earnings. In Reno’s competitive job market, factors such as specialties and practice ownership can lead to substantial differences in compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,571 | $50.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,914 | $59.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,509 | $63.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,550 | $79.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,592 | $86.82 |
Median Salary Position
3.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reno
In Reno, NV, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,021 (2026 est.). At $132,509, the local median is 3.51% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reno: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reno Veterinarian Pay Compares
Reno median: $132,509/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $134,938 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -3.51% less |
Veterinarians in Reno, NV earn a median of $132,509 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.80% below the Nevada state average of $134,938.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reno has a cost of living 1.01% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reno, NV has a cost-of-living index of 101.014 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,509 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,179 — a 1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,090
2025 BLS Actual
$125,530
2026 Current Est.
$132,509
2019–2027 Growth
+42.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,509 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reno metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 28.0% from $98,090 (2019) to $125,530 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,787 (42.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reno 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) | $105,571 – $122,914 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,914 – $132,509 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,509 – $165,550 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,550 – $180,592 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Reno
With approximately 150 veterinarians employed locally, the Reno market demonstrates a steady demand for veterinary professionals, bolstered by a cost-of-living index of 101.014, which reflects above-average living expenses. In this context, veterinarian pay in Reno NV benefits from various factors, particularly among larger corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl, which account for roughly 25% of local practices. Specialty areas can command even higher salaries—those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care often see significant pay disparities relative to general practitioners. To maximize earnings, veterinarians may consider pursuing specialty certifications, recognizing the growing trend of corporate consolidation that can impact pay structures, and negotiating for production-based compensation models or sign-on bonuses, currently in the range of $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in underserved locations.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
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 $125,530 for veterinariansin the Reno 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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