Veterinarian Salary in Cleveland Heights, OH: $127,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cleveland Heights, OH earns a median $127,535/year (≈ $61.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cleveland Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $140,612 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, veterinarians in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $127,535. This figure exemplifies the influence of a production-based compensation model prevalent in the veterinary field, where earnings are often tied to generated revenue. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $75,873 at the 10th percentile to $197,680 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variability depending on factors such as specialization and practice type. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that while the median is notably lower than the national median of $137,334, it still represents a robust earning potential for veterinarians in this Ohio community, aligned with the area's employment context.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,873 | $36.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,881 | $48.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,535 | $61.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,679 | $76.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,680 | $95.04 |
Median Salary Position
7.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland Heights
In Cleveland Heights, OH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,807 (2026 est.). At $127,535, the local median is 7.14% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Heights Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cleveland Heights median: $127,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $134,389 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -7.14% less |
Veterinarians in Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $127,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.14% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $134,389.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland Heights has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $127,535 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,612 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,649
2025 BLS Actual
$120,818
2026 Current Est.
$127,535
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,649 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,169 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,209 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,893 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,603 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,818 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,626 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland Heights metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $88,649 (2019) to $120,818 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,977 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland Heights 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) | $75,873 – $100,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,881 – $127,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,535 – $159,679 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,679 – $197,680 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cleveland Heights
Currently, nine veterinarians operate in Cleveland Heights, indicative of a concentrated local job market. The cost of living index in the area is 90.7, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Veterinary professionals in Cleveland Heights tend to earn more in corporate environments, particularly with large animal or specialty referral hospitals, where innovative pay structures like sign-on bonuses (ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand fields) and production-based models are common. The variation in veterinarian pay in Cleveland Heights is influenced by many factors, including advanced board certifications in surgery or internal medicine, the potential for equity in practice ownership, and the differences in financial backing between corporate chains and independent practices. For those looking to maximize their income in this market, pursuing specialty certifications and considering positions within corporate structures can significantly increase earning potential, allowing veterinary professionals to navigate their career paths more strategically.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
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 $120,818 for veterinariansin the Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights 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