Veterinarian Salary in Lackawanna, NY: $126,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lackawanna, NY earns a median $126,002/year (≈ $60.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lackawanna's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $108,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Lackawanna, New York, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $126,002, reflecting an 8.25% dip compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary spectrum for this role ranges significantly from $81,076 at the 10th percentile to as high as $195,303 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, adjusted for local market conditions. The concentration of veterinarians in this market is limited, with only five local practitioners, which suggests a competitive environment and a potential gap in services that could affect overall compensation.
About the Lackawanna Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,076 | $38.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,952 | $49.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,002 | $60.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,845 | $75.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,303 | $93.90 |
Median Salary Position
8.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lackawanna
In Lackawanna, NY, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,227 (2026 est.). At $126,002, the local median is 8.25% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lackawanna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lackawanna Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lackawanna median: $126,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lackawanna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $134,617 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -8.25% less |
Veterinarians in Lackawanna, NY earn a median of $126,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.25% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.40% below the New York state average of $134,617.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lackawanna has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lackawanna, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,002 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,716 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,583
2025 BLS Actual
$119,365
2026 Current Est.
$126,002
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lackawanna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,583 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,061 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,088 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,273 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,351 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lackawanna metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $87,583 (2019) to $119,365 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,424 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lackawanna 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) | $81,076 – $103,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,952 – $126,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,002 – $157,845 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,845 – $195,303 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lackawanna
Despite slightly lower earnings than the national average, the veterinarian pay in Lackawanna is influenced by a high cost of living index of 115.9, which diminishes take-home purchasing power relative to expenses. Most veterinary employment opportunities arise from small animal companion clinics, particularly those under corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which make up about 25% of the local market. The disparity in compensation within the field often ties back to specialty board certification, production-based compensation models, and the structure of the practice itself—corporate practices versus independent ones. To maximize their earnings, veterinarians in Lackawanna should consider focusing on niche specialties like surgery or internal medicine, which are associated with higher pay, while also exploring ownership or partnership opportunities that can yield significant financial benefits in the long run.
More salary data for Lackawanna, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Lackawanna?
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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 $119,365 for veterinariansin the Lackawanna 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 Lackawanna 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