Veterinarian Salary in Elmira, NY: $127,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Elmira, NY earns a median $127,432/year (≈ $61.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Elmira's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $109,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Elmira, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $127,432, reflecting local economic conditions and regional cost adjustments. This figure falls below the national median of $137,334, with earning potentials ranging from $75,291 at the 10th percentile to $197,520 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, informed by 2025 BLS data, highlight the disparity that can arise based on factors such as specialization and practice type. As the job market retains a modest number of veterinarians—only six currently employed—opportunities for higher pay may depend on local clinical demand and the specific services offered by veterinary practices.
About the Elmira Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,291 | $36.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,414 | $48.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,432 | $61.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,368 | $76.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,520 | $94.96 |
Median Salary Position
7.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmira
In Elmira, NY, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,229 (2026 est.). At $127,432, the local median is 7.21% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmira: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmira Veterinarian Pay Compares
Elmira median: $127,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmira Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $134,564 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -7.21% less |
Veterinarians in Elmira, NY earn a median of $127,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.21% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.30% below the New York state average of $134,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmira has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elmira, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,432 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $109,950 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,577
2025 BLS Actual
$120,720
2026 Current Est.
$127,432
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,577 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,094 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,513 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,517 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmira metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $88,577 (2019) to $120,720 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,517 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,940 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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) | $75,291 – $100,414 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,414 – $127,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,432 – $159,368 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,368 – $197,520 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Elmira
The cost of living index in Elmira stands at 115.9, indicating that while vet salaries may be lower than national averages, the expenses associated with living in the area are also elevated. Among local employers, corporate practices like VCA or BluePearl often lead the compensation race, driven by higher patient volumes and the advantages of shared resources. In contrast, independent or smaller practices may offer lower pay rates but could provide more flexible work environments or production-based compensation models, which can significantly impact earnings. For veterinarians looking to maximize their salary in Elmira, pursuing specialty board certification in areas such as surgery or internal medicine is essential, as such qualifications typically command significantly higher salaries. Additionally, strategies such as negotiating sign-on bonuses—recently trending between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates—can further enhance overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
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 $120,720 for veterinariansin the Elmira 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 Elmira 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