Veterinarian Salary in Arlington, TX: $138,127 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Arlington, TX earns a median $138,127/year (≈ $66.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $143,882 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Arlington, Texas, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $138,127, a figure slightly above the national average of $137,334. The salary range varies considerably, with entry-level positions earning around $80,114 and experienced practitioners making up to $214,098. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences, highlight the potential for veterinarians in both corporate entities and independent practices. This divergence in employment structures significantly influences salary outcomes, affecting the ability of professionals to maximize their earnings based on their practice environment and specialization.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,114 | $38.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,310 | $49.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,127 | $66.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,803 | $85.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,098 | $102.93 |
Median Salary Position
0.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,984 (2026 est.). At $138,127, the local median is 0.58% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Veterinarian Pay Compares
Arlington median: $138,127/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,555 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.58% more |
Veterinarians in Arlington, TX earn a median of $138,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 5.80% above the Texas state average of $130,555.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $138,127 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,882 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,012
2025 BLS Actual
$130,852
2026 Current Est.
$138,127
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,012 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,824 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,541 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,127 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $96,012 (2019) to $130,852 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,795 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $80,114 – $102,310 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,310 – $138,127 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,127 – $176,803 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,803 – $214,098 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Arlington
With 83 veterinarians currently employed in Arlington, the job market reflects a solid demand for animal health services, tempered by a cost-of-living index of 96, indicating that living expenses are below the national average. Among the local employers, corporate veterinary chains such as VCA and BluePearl dominate, typically offering higher pay compared to independent clinics, particularly for new graduates faced with sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in areas with staff shortages. The disparity in salaries is often driven by factors like specialization, with board-certified veterinarians in fields such as surgery or internal medicine commanding significantly higher compensation. To maximize earnings in Arlington, aspiring veterinarians might consider focusing on specialized training while also assessing the impacts of practice ownership and production-based compensation models on their financial prospects in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Arlington, 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 $130,852 for veterinariansin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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