Veterinarian Salary in Dayton, OH: $136,204 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Dayton, OH earns a median $136,204/year (≈ $65.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $146,939 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dayton, Ohio, veterinarian salaries are projected to reach a median of $136,204 by 2026, slightly below the national median of $137,334. The expected salary range for veterinarians in the area starts at $78,896 and can go up to $219,491, showcasing a significant potential for earnings depending on experience and specialization. This data is derived from BLS estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Factors such as board certification in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care can significantly influence salary expectations, reflecting the premium placed on specialized skills in the ever-evolving veterinary market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,896 | $37.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,272 | $50.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,204 | $65.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,189 | $80.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,491 | $105.53 |
Median Salary Position
0.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,595 (2026 est.). At $136,204, the local median is 0.82% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dayton Veterinarian Pay Compares
Dayton median: $136,204/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $134,456 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.82% less |
Veterinarians in Dayton, OH earn a median of $136,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.30% above the Ohio state average of $134,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $136,204 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,939 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,650
2025 BLS Actual
$129,030
2026 Current Est.
$136,204
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,204 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 13.5% from $113,650 (2019) to $129,030 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,127 (26.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $78,896 – $104,272 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,272 – $136,204 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,204 – $168,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,189 – $219,491 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Dayton
With around 220 veterinarians working in Dayton, the local job market remains competitive yet accessible for new graduates and seasoned professionals alike. The cost of living index in Dayton stands at 92.694, indicating lower living expenses compared to national averages, which enhances the purchasing power of veterinarians in the region. Demand for high salaries tends to come from large animal and equine practices, specialty referral hospitals, and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which together comprise about 25% of the market. The disparity between low and high veterinarian pay in Dayton is influenced by specialty board certifications and production-based compensation models that favor practices aligned with corporate structures. To maximize earnings in this local market, strategies such as pursuing specialty certifications, seeking production-based compensation opportunities, and exploring partnerships or equity in independent practices can play a significant role in achieving financial goals.
More salary data for Dayton, 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 $129,030 for veterinariansin the Dayton 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