Veterinarian Salary in Kettering, OH: $134,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Kettering, OH earns a median $134,368/year (≈ $64.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Kettering's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $148,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in Kettering, Ohio, can anticipate a median annual salary of $134,368 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The local compensation packages range significantly, from $78,761 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $208,271 (P90) for those at the top of their field. The figures provided are part of projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. As corporate practices continue to expand and shape the industry, the pay scales for veterinarians are increasingly influenced by whether they work in independent clinics or under corporate structures, with corporate-owned facilities often offering different compensation and benefit packages that can impact earning potential significantly in Kettering.
About the Kettering Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,761 | $37.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,008 | $50.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,368 | $64.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,991 | $82.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,271 | $100.13 |
Median Salary Position
2.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kettering
In Kettering, OH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,510 (2026 est.). At $134,368, the local median is 2.16% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kettering: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kettering Veterinarian Pay Compares
Kettering median: $134,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kettering Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | -2.16% less |
Veterinarians in Kettering, OH earn a median of $134,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.16% lower than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kettering 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.
Kettering, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $134,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,146 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,399
2025 BLS Actual
$127,291
2026 Current Est.
$134,368
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kettering (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,399 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,107 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,203 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,529 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,213 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kettering metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $93,399 (2019) to $127,291 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,440 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kettering 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) | $78,761 – $106,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,008 – $134,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,368 – $171,991 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,991 – $208,271 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Kettering
Analyzing the local veterinarian job market reveals that there are currently 10 veterinarians practicing in Kettering, which suggests a relatively stable employment landscape. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.7, indicating a lower cost compared to the national average, which can enhance take-home pay and purchasing power for local veterinarians. Among the various employers, small animal clinics, particularly corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, dominate the area, comprising around 25% of the market and often offering competitive salaries. Factors contributing to the disparity between lower and higher veterinarian pay include specialty board certifications, production-based compensation, and the ownership structure of the practice. For veterinarians aiming to maximize their salaries in Kettering, pursuing advanced certifications, negotiating for production-based pay, and considering roles within corporate entities may provide substantial financial benefits.
More salary data for Kettering, 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 $127,291 for veterinariansin the Kettering 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 Kettering 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