Veterinarian Salary in Lima, OH: $132,208 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lima, OH earns a median $132,208/year (≈ $63.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lima's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $145,764 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Lima, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $132,208, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The local salary range extends from $82,352 for entry-level positions to as high as $204,922 for those at the top of the profession. These figures, projected based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, reflect the city's competitive job market in the context of a growing trend of corporate consolidation within the veterinary field. Unlike independent practices, corporate chains may offer more structured pay scales but often with less variability in earnings, impacting overall compensation dynamics for veterinarians working in Lima's diverse practice settings.
About the Lima Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,352 | $39.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,412 | $51.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,208 | $63.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,416 | $78.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,922 | $98.52 |
Median Salary Position
3.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,570 (2026 est.). At $132,208, the local median is 3.73% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lima Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lima median: $132,208/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $134,357 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -3.73% less |
Veterinarians in Lima, OH earn a median of $132,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.73% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.60% below the Ohio state average of $134,357.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima 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.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $132,208 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,764 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,897
2025 BLS Actual
$125,244
2026 Current Est.
$132,208
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,897 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,545 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,624 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,406 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,655 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,928 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,244 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,208 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,897 (2019) to $125,244 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,661 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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) | $82,352 – $107,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,412 – $132,208 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,208 – $163,416 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,416 – $204,922 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lima
With only eight veterinarians currently employed in the Lima area, job opportunities may seem limited, but strategic choices can greatly influence remuneration. The cost of living index in Lima stands at 90.7, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable. Among various employers, corporate animal healthcare chains like VCA and BluePearl are likely to offer higher pay compared to independent clinics. However, large animal or mixed practices often compensate well due to differing demands and limited availability of veterinary professionals. Factors like specialty board certification, opportunities for ownership equity, and production-based pay structures contribute to the salary spread. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Lima, pursuing advanced certifications and considering corporate employment options could lead to better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Lima, 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 $125,244 for veterinariansin the Lima 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 Lima 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