Veterinarian Salary in Cleveland, OH: $135,761 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cleveland, OH earns a median $135,761/year (≈ $65.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $144,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected veterinarian salary in Cleveland, Ohio, stands at $135,761 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $137,334. This salary reflects an extensive range, with entry-level veterinarians earning as low as $53,192 and those at the top of the profession making up to $224,399. These figures originate from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, demonstrating a competitive pay structure influenced by production-based compensation models. With a growing emphasis on generating revenue within the field, Cleveland's veterinary professionals are increasingly impacted by market dynamics that favor those who can deliver high-quality care while managing operational efficiency.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,192 | $25.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,236 | $43.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,761 | $65.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,123 | $82.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $224,399 | $107.88 |
Median Salary Position
1.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $171,207 (2026 est.). At $135,761, the local median is 1.15% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $135,761/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $134,417 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.15% less |
Veterinarians in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $135,761 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% above the Ohio state average of $134,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,761 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,545 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,060
2025 BLS Actual
$128,610
2026 Current Est.
$135,761
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,761 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,309 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 27.3% from $101,060 (2019) to $128,610 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,309 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,249 (41.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $53,192 – $91,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,236 – $135,761 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,761 – $171,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,123 – $224,399 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cleveland
Cleveland's job market supports around 560 veterinarians, providing a robust environment for those entering the profession. The cost of living index at 93.923 suggests that despite lower salary benchmarks compared to national averages, veterinarians can maintain a comfortable standard of living. Notably, specialty practices and corporate veterinary chains, such as VCA and BluePearl, typically offer higher salaries compared to independent clinics. Factors contributing to pay variability include board certification in specialties like surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation agreements, and the emergence of sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in areas experiencing workforce shortages. For veterinarians in Cleveland, maximizing earning potential could involve pursuing specialty training, considering corporate employment models, or exploring ownership opportunities within effective practices.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 $128,610 for veterinariansin the Cleveland 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