Veterinarian Salary in Abilene, TX: $129,649 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Abilene, TX earns a median $129,649/year (≈ $62.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Abilene's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $143,474 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Abilene, Texas are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,649, which is approximately 5.60% lower than the national median of $137,334. The salary range spans from $81,429 at the 10th percentile to $184,941 for the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability of income based on factors such as experience, role specialization, and practice type. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, demonstrating how the revenue generated by veterinary practices influences effective compensation models. In this context, Abilene provides a competitive yet challenging job market that reflects both local economic conditions and broader industry trends.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,429 | $39.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,099 | $52.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,649 | $62.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,245 | $68.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,941 | $88.91 |
Median Salary Position
5.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Abilene
In Abilene, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,512 (2026 est.). At $129,649, the local median is 5.6% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Abilene: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Abilene Veterinarian Pay Compares
Abilene median: $129,649/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Abilene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,563 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -5.60% less |
Veterinarians in Abilene, TX earn a median of $129,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.60% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $130,563.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Abilene has a cost of living 9.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Abilene, TX has a cost-of-living index of 90.364 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $129,649 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,474 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,118
2025 BLS Actual
$122,820
2026 Current Est.
$129,649
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Abilene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,118 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,482 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,649 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,857 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Abilene metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $90,118 (2019) to $122,820 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,857 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,739 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Abilene 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) | $81,429 – $110,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,099 – $129,649 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,649 – $143,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,245 – $184,941 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Abilene
With 40 veterinarians currently employed in Abilene, the competitive job market faces a cost-of-living index of 90.364, indicating that take-home purchasing power may stretch further than in cities with higher costs. Notably, corporate veterinary practices, including major chains like VCA and BluePearl, generally provide higher compensation than independent clinics, particularly for general practice roles. However, specializing in areas such as surgery or internal medicine can significantly narrow the salary range, often leading to compensation that is 2-3 times that of general practitioners. Other driving factors include production-based compensation models, which offer income based on revenue generation, as well as potential bonuses for new graduates entering high-demand areas—averaging between $50,000 and $150,000. To maximize pay in Abilene, veterinarians should consider focusing on specialties or exploring ownership opportunities within practices.
More salary data for Abilene, TX:
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 $122,820 for veterinariansin the Abilene 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, 4-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