Veterinarian Salary in Providence, RI: $136,584 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Providence, RI earns a median $136,584/year (≈ $65.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $134,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Providence, Rhode Island, the projected median veterinarian salary in 2026 is $136,584, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary range extends from $108,685 at the 10th percentile to $210,318 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a substantial income disparity within the profession. These figures, drawn from official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrate the financial dynamics of veterinary medicine in this region. Given the local demand for specialized veterinary services, including surgery and internal medicine, practitioners with board certifications can command significantly higher salaries, underscoring the competitive nature of the job market in Providence.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,685 | $52.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,870 | $55.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,584 | $65.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,395 | $81.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,318 | $101.12 |
Median Salary Position
0.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,633 (2026 est.). At $136,584, the local median is 0.55% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Providence Veterinarian Pay Compares
Providence median: $136,584/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $137,964 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.55% less |
Veterinarians in Providence, RI earn a median of $136,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.55% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the Rhode Island state average of $137,964.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,584 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,205 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,770
2025 BLS Actual
$129,390
2026 Current Est.
$136,584
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Providence (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 | $126,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,584 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,178 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 17.9% from $109,770 (2019) to $129,390 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,178 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,408 (31.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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) | $108,685 – $114,870 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,870 – $136,584 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,584 – $170,395 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,395 – $210,318 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Providence
Examining the local veterinary job market reveals 520 veterinarians currently employed in the area, a strong figure that suggests consistent demand for animal healthcare services. The cost of living index stands at 101.773, indicating that while salaries may be competitive, the higher living expenses can affect overall take-home pay. Among employers, larger corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which constitute approximately 25% of the market, tend to offer higher salaries compared to independent practices, as they often implement production-based compensation models that reward veterinarians according to the revenue they generate. The notable pay disparity is influenced by factors such as specialty board certification, ownership equity in practices, and the availability of sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in underserved areas. To maximize veterinarian pay in Providence, seeking positions in specialty hospitals or exploring corporate opportunities may prove beneficial for those looking to enhance their earnings in a competitive market.
More salary data for Providence, 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 $129,390 for veterinariansin the Providence 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