Veterinarian Salary in Amarillo, TX: $130,916 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Amarillo, TX earns a median $130,916/year (≈ $62.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Amarillo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $142,579 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amarillo, TX, veterinarians can anticipate a median annual salary of $130,916, slightly below the national median of $137,334. This compensation varies significantly, with earnings ranging from $82,421 at the 10th percentile to $204,026 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, illustrates the impact of the production-based compensation model that dominates the industry. In Amarillo, the effective salary often correlates with the percentage of revenue generated, leading to notable variances in income across different practices and specialties. With around 60 veterinarians practicing in the area, the competitive landscape provides diverse opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals, highlighting the strength of local demand for veterinary services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,421 | $39.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,501 | $55.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,916 | $62.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,078 | $79.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,026 | $98.09 |
Median Salary Position
4.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amarillo
In Amarillo, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,605 (2026 est.). At $130,916, the local median is 4.67% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amarillo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amarillo Veterinarian Pay Compares
Amarillo median: $130,916/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amarillo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,524 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.67% less |
Veterinarians in Amarillo, TX earn a median of $130,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.67% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $130,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amarillo has a cost of living 8.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amarillo, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.82 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $130,916 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,579 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,800
2025 BLS Actual
$124,020
2026 Current Est.
$130,916
2019–2027 Growth
+75.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Amarillo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,916 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,194 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amarillo metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 57.4% from $78,800 (2019) to $124,020 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,194 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,394 (75.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amarillo 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) | $82,421 – $114,501 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,501 – $130,916 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,916 – $166,078 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,078 – $204,026 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Amarillo
Analyzing the job market further reveals how local factors influence veterinarian pay in Amarillo. The area has a favorable cost of living index of 91.82, which enhances take-home purchasing power for those in the profession. While corporate veterinary groups like VCA and BluePearl command a significant share of the market—approximately 25%—independent practices tend to offer variable compensation based on their clientele and operation size. Indeed, variations in salaries can often be traced back to whether a veterinarian holds specialty board certifications such as those from the ACVIM or ACVS, which can greatly elevate pay. In order to maximize their earnings, veterinarians in Amarillo might focus on aligning with larger corporate practices, considering specialty certifications, or exploring ownership in independent clinics. Additionally, sign-on bonuses have become increasingly prevalent, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for graduates in areas facing shortages, facilitating deeper engagement in this evolving local market.
More salary data for Amarillo, 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 $124,020 for veterinariansin the Amarillo 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