Veterinarian Salary in Syracuse, NY: $131,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Syracuse, NY earns a median $131,317/year (≈ $63.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Syracuse's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $137,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for veterinarians in Syracuse, New York, is projected to be $131,317, reflecting a competitive yet slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary spectrum ranges from $90,813 at the 10th percentile to $211,764 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear picture of income variability based on factors such as specialty, experience, and the specific employment setting. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the essential role of production-based compensation in veterinary medicine, where earnings can closely align with revenue generated from services rendered. Given the ongoing trends in corporate consolidation within the veterinary sector, this information offers valuable insights for those considering their career trajectory in Syracuse's veterinary job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,813 | $43.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,508 | $52.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,317 | $63.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,749 | $75.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,764 | $101.81 |
Median Salary Position
4.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
In Syracuse, NY, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,951 (2026 est.). At $131,317, the local median is 4.38% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Syracuse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Syracuse Veterinarian Pay Compares
Syracuse median: $131,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Syracuse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $134,684 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.38% less |
Veterinarians in Syracuse, NY earn a median of $131,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.38% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the New York state average of $134,684.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Syracuse has a cost of living 4.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Syracuse, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.742 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $131,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,157 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.45% 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
$90,790
2025 BLS Actual
$124,400
2026 Current Est.
$131,317
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,618 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Syracuse metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 37.0% from $90,790 (2019) to $124,400 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,828 (52.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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) | $90,813 – $109,508 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,508 – $131,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,317 – $157,749 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,749 – $211,764 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Syracuse
With approximately 130 veterinarians working in Syracuse, the job market is modestly competitive. The cost of living index in the area is 95.742, indicating that it is below the national average, which enhances the effective purchasing power of local veterinarians, even with a salary that trails the national benchmark. Those seeking the highest salaries typically find opportunities within specialty referral hospitals, large animal practices, or corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which constitute about 25% of the market. Factors contributing to the substantial pay gaps include the level of training required for various specialties, ownership stakes in practices, and prevailing production-based compensation models. For veterinarians aiming to maximize their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications such as those from ACVIM or ACVS could yield significant increases in compensation, especially in a job market that offers varied remuneration based on skill level and practice structure.
More salary data for Syracuse, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Syracuse, NY in 2026?
Is Syracuse, NY a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Syracuse?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Syracuse?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Syracuse?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 $124,400 for veterinariansin the Syracuse 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