Veterinarian Salary in Cranston, RI: $135,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cranston, RI earns a median $135,005/year (≈ $64.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cranston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $134,333 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, a veterinarian in Cranston, Rhode Island can expect a median annual salary of $135,005, placing local compensation slightly below the national average of $137,334. The projected salary range for veterinarians in the area reflects the diversity of roles and experiences, spanning from $80,017 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as much as $209,258 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures are drawn from estimated data based on 2025 BLS information and local cost adjustments. With a 5.56% growth rate anticipated over the next five years, the job market for veterinarians in Cranston appears to remain healthy, indicating sustained demand for veterinary professionals in this region.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,017 | $38.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,756 | $51.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,005 | $64.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,806 | $83.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,258 | $100.61 |
Median Salary Position
1.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cranston
In Cranston, RI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,241 (2026 est.). At $135,005, the local median is 1.7% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cranston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cranston Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cranston median: $135,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cranston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $138,042 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.70% less |
Veterinarians in Cranston, RI earn a median of $135,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $138,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cranston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cranston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,005 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,333 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,841
2025 BLS Actual
$127,894
2026 Current Est.
$135,005
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cranston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,509 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,894 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cranston metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $93,841 (2019) to $127,894 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,670 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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) | $80,017 – $106,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,756 – $135,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,005 – $172,806 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,806 – $209,258 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cranston
The veterinarian job market in Cranston features around 12 active veterinarians, reflecting a specialized segment of the workforce. The cost of living index at 100.5 indicates a slightly higher cost of living compared to the national average, which may impact take-home pay and purchasing power for veterinarians. Corporate veterinary chains, such as VCA and BluePearl, are among the largest employers, often offering higher salaries compared to independent practices due to their scale and resources. Variability in income stems from factors such as board certification in specialties like surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation models, and potential bonuses for new graduates in high-demand areas. To maximize earning potential, veterinarians in Cranston may consider pursuing specialty certifications and exploring opportunities in corporate environments, where compensation structures often favor higher-output practices.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
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 $127,894 for veterinariansin the Cranston 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 Cranston 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