Veterinarian Salary in College Station, TX: $122,629 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in College Station, TX earns a median $122,629/year (≈ $58.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in College Station's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $134,830 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in College Station, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $122,629, which is notably below the national average of $137,334 for the same year. The salary spectrum is quite wide, ranging from $42,118 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $299,421 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant potential for earnings based on experience and specialization. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflects the local job market's demand for experienced veterinarians, particularly those with specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency critical care. The diversity of practices and the presence of corporate veterinary chains influence compensation structures, creating competition that can benefit skilled veterinarians in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,118 | $20.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,984 | $20.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,629 | $58.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,383 | $99.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $299,421 | $143.95 |
Median Salary Position
10.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station
In College Station, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $257,303 (2026 est.). At $122,629, the local median is 10.71% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Station: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Station Veterinarian Pay Compares
College Station median: $122,629/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Station Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,595 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -10.71% less |
Veterinarians in College Station, TX earn a median of $122,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.71% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.10% below the Texas state average of $130,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Station has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Station, TX has a cost-of-living index of 90.951 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $122,629 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,830 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,570
2025 BLS Actual
$116,170
2026 Current Est.
$122,629
2019–2027 Growth
+106.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,629 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Station metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 85.7% from $62,570 (2019) to $116,170 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $66,877 (106.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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) | $42,118 – $42,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,984 – $122,629 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,629 – $207,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,383 – $299,421 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in College Station
In College Station, approximately 230 veterinarians are contributing to a robust job market, but the local cost of living, with a cost of living index of 90.951, provides a different perspective on take-home pay. This index indicates that living expenses are below the national average, allowing for more mileage from salaries here compared to higher-cost regions. Among local employers, large animal practices and specialty hospitals generally offer the highest compensation, while corporate-owned clinics may provide more structured pay scales and signing bonuses for fresh graduates, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in areas facing shortages. Factors such as production-based compensation models and partnerships can significantly affect salary ranges, with board-certified specialists typically earning much more than general practitioners. For those entering the field, focusing on specialty certifications and seeking employment at larger practices or corporations could maximize earning potential within the College Station TX market.
More salary data for College Station, 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 $116,170 for veterinariansin the College Station 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