Veterinarian Salary in Rhode Island: $136,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $136,169/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $135,492 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($132,014), Pawtucket ($130,607), East Providence ($129,602).
For veterinarians considering a career in Rhode Island, the 2026 average median salary is projected at $136,169, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334, reflecting a variance of -0.8%. In terms of city-specific salaries, Warwick offers the highest compensation at $139,354, while Central Falls presents the lowest at $127,347, indicating a gap of $12,007. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of pet ownership in various areas. Rhode Island has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that are important for veterinarians to navigate. These regulations can influence job market entry and career progression. The state's veterinary job market is expected to sustain a growth rate of 5.56% annually, indicating a steady demand for veterinary professionals. Top cities projected to offer competitive salaries include Pawtucket at $137,869, East Providence at $136,808, Providence at $136,584, and West Warwick at $136,445. With 649 veterinarians employed across the state, the outlook appears positive, driven by ongoing needs in animal healthcare and welfare.
Rhode Island Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $75,782 (lowest entry-level) to $215,999 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island veterinarians earn 0.85% less than the national median ($-1,165/year difference).
Rhode Island Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Rhode Island range from $103,005 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $209,949 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $136,169. The Rhode Island median is $1,165 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $65.47/hr. Approximately 649 veterinarians are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$109,770
2025 BLS Actual
$128,997
2026 Current Est.
$136,169
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,495 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,740 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 17.5% from $109,770 (2019) to $128,997 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,740 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,970 (30.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $127,347 |
| Westerly | $128,893 |
| Bristol | $130,657 |
| South Kingstown | $131,014 |
| Cumberland | $131,357 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $139,354 | 100.5 | $138,661 |
| Pawtucket | $137,869 | 100.5 | $137,183 |
| East Providence | $136,808 | 100.5 | $136,127 |
| West Warwick | $136,445 | 100.5 | $135,766 |
| Coventry | $135,802 | 100.5 | $135,126 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $103,005 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $136,169 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $209,949 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $139,354 |
| 2 | Pawtucket | $137,869 |
| 3 | East Providence | $136,808 |
| 4 | Providence | $136,584 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $136,445 |
| 6 | Coventry | $135,802 |
| 7 | Cranston | $135,005 |
| 8 | Johnston | $133,467 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $133,413 |
| 10 | Newport | $132,685 |
| 11 | North Providence | $132,418 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $132,374 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $131,357 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $131,014 |
| 15 | Bristol | $130,657 |
| 16 | Westerly | $128,893 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $127,347 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinarian hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Rhode Island?
How many veterinarians are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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