Veterinarian Salary in Oklahoma City, OK: $104,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Oklahoma City, OK earns a median $104,241/year (≈ $50.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Oklahoma City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $115,301 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.6% below the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the typical veterinarian salary in Oklahoma City reaches $104,241, a figure notably lower than the national median of $137,334. Salary ranges for veterinarians in the area vary considerably, from $54,585 for the lower ten percent to as high as $213,020 for those in the top tier. These figures emerge from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight the broader implications of the corporate versus independent practice dynamics in veterinary medicine. As corporate consolidation continues to reshape the landscape with entities like VCA and BluePearl dominating the market, the pay structure reflects these shifts, often translating into higher compensation for veterinarians in corporate environments while independent practices may struggle to match these figures. The competitive job market, however, continues to attract talent, pointing towards a sustained demand for veterinary professionals in Oklahoma City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,585 | $26.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,680 | $40.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,241 | $50.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,489 | $65.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,020 | $102.41 |
Median Salary Position
24.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, OK, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,435 (2026 est.). At $104,241, the local median is 24.1% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oklahoma City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oklahoma City Veterinarian Pay Compares
Oklahoma City median: $104,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oklahoma City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $122,061 | -14.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -24.10% less |
Veterinarians in Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $104,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.10% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 14.60% below the Oklahoma state average of $122,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oklahoma City has a cost of living 9.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oklahoma City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 90.408 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $104,241 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,301 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,240
2025 BLS Actual
$98,750
2026 Current Est.
$104,241
2019–2027 Growth
+44.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 29.5% from $76,240 (2019) to $98,750 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,796 (44.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma City 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) | $54,585 – $84,680 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,680 – $104,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,241 – $136,489 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,489 – $213,020 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, approximately 450 veterinarians are currently employed, contributing to a robust job market amid an attractive cost-of-living index of 90.408. This scenario enables veterinarians to enjoy a relatively favorable take-home purchasing power compared to many urban environments. Among local employers, corporate chains often offer the most competitive salaries, particularly in small animal companion clinics. In contrast, independent practices and rural mixed animal clinics may provide lower compensation, though they may offer other incentives, such as a better work-life balance. Factors that drive the disparity in earnings include board certifications in specialties like surgery or internal medicine, which command significantly higher salaries compared to general practitioners. Additionally, production-based compensation models can augment earnings based on revenue generated, and lucrative sign-on bonuses in high-need areas can greatly benefit new graduates. To maximize earnings in Oklahoma City, veterinarians should consider engaging with corporate practices or pursuing specialty training while also leveraging opportunities for ownership in independent practices.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
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 $98,750 for veterinariansin the Oklahoma City 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