Veterinarian Salary in Lakewood, OH: $133,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lakewood, OH earns a median $133,720/year (≈ $64.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $147,431 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected figures for 2026 indicate that veterinarians in Lakewood, OH, can expect a median annual salary of $133,720, slightly below the national average of $137,334. Salaries in this region vary significantly, with a range from $77,558 at the 10th percentile to $207,266 at the 90th percentile. This information, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors, reflects the ongoing demand for veterinary services in Lakewood. Additionally, specialty board certifications such as surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care can lead to greater earning potential, as these qualified professionals often command premium salaries compared to general practitioners.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,558 | $37.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,438 | $48.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,183 | $81.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,266 | $99.65 |
Median Salary Position
2.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, OH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,708 (2026 est.). At $133,720, the local median is 2.63% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $133,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $134,392 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -2.63% less |
Veterinarians in Lakewood, OH earn a median of $133,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $134,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood 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.
Lakewood, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $133,720 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,431 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,948
2025 BLS Actual
$126,677
2026 Current Est.
$133,720
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,639 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,729 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,071 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,155 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $92,948 (2019) to $126,677 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,155 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,207 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $77,558 – $100,438 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,438 – $133,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,720 – $169,183 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,183 – $207,266 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lakewood
The job market for veterinarians in Lakewood remains active, with 11 employed in the area, a number reflective of the community's veterinary needs. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, veterinary pay in Lakewood allows for a competitive standard of living despite a slightly lower take-home purchasing power when compared to national averages. Employers such as corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which together comprise about 25% of the local market, typically offer higher salaries due to their larger operational budgets compared to independent practices. This pay gap is often influenced by factors like specialty certifications, production-based compensation structures, and profitability tied to practice ownership equity. For those considering a career in veterinary medicine, pursuing specialized training and understanding the corporate landscape could significantly enhance earning potential in Lakewood.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $126,677 for veterinariansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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