Veterinarian Salary in Pennsylvania: $142,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $142,240/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $146,037 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($139,810), Bethlehem ($136,363), Allentown ($133,120).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in Pennsylvania is projected to be $142,240, which is 3.6% higher than the national median of $137,334. The salary landscape varies across the state, with Philadelphia leading as the highest-paying city at $147,583, while West Chester offers the lowest at $129,417. This salary gap of $18,166 reflects factors such as the cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of pet ownership in urban areas like Philadelphia. In Pennsylvania, veterinarians must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to defined scope of practice laws, which can influence earning potential. Additionally, the demand for veterinary services is expected to drive job growth. The total employment for veterinarians in the state stands at 3,655, with an annual growth rate projected at 5.56%. Other notable cities include Bethlehem at $143,945, Allentown at $140,521, Reading at $140,511, and Harrisburg at $140,131, indicating a healthy job market for the profession throughout the state. Overall, Pennsylvania offers solid opportunities for veterinarians, marked by competitive salaries and growing demand in the field.
Pennsylvania Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $67,917 (lowest entry-level) to $351,019 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania veterinarians earn 3.57% more than the national median (+$4,906/year difference).
Pennsylvania Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Pennsylvania range from $91,825 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $286,718 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $142,240. The Pennsylvania median is $4,906 above the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $68.38/hr. Approximately 3,655 veterinarians are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$107,413
2025 BLS Actual
$134,748
2026 Current Est.
$142,240
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,757 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,521 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,387 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,103 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,748 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,149 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 25.4% from $107,413 (2019) to $134,748 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,149 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,736 (39.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Chester | $129,417 |
| Pottstown | $130,373 |
| Erie | $130,546 |
| Johnstown | $131,423 |
| New Castle | $132,255 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | $143,945 | 97.4 | $147,787 |
| Reading | $140,511 | 97.06 | $144,767 |
| Gettysburg | $137,661 | 95.379 | $144,331 |
| Philadelphia | $147,583 | 102.554 | $143,908 |
| Erie | $130,546 | 90.95 | $143,536 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $91,825 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $142,240 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $286,718 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $147,583 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $143,945 |
| 3 | Allentown | $140,521 |
| 4 | Reading | $140,511 |
| 5 | Harrisburg | $140,131 |
| 6 | Lancaster | $139,846 |
| 7 | State College | $138,811 |
| 8 | Easton | $138,110 |
| 9 | Gettysburg | $137,661 |
| 10 | Williamsport | $136,937 |
| 11 | York | $136,816 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $136,197 |
| 13 | Wilkes-Barre | $136,036 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh | $135,423 |
| 15 | Hazleton | $134,148 |
| 16 | Scranton | $134,019 |
| 17 | Norristown | $133,890 |
| 18 | Chester | $133,580 |
| 19 | Altoona | $133,032 |
| 20 | Chambersburg | $132,372 |
| 21 | New Castle | $132,255 |
| 22 | Johnstown | $131,423 |
| 23 | Erie | $130,546 |
| 24 | Pottstown | $130,373 |
| 25 | West Chester | $129,417 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinarian hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Pennsylvania?
How many veterinarians are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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