Veterinarian Salary in Denton, TX: $129,847 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Denton, TX earns a median $129,847/year (≈ $62.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Denton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $135,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, veterinarians in Denton, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,847, which is approximately 5.45% lower than the national median of $137,334. Salary ranges in this market vary considerably, with entry-level veterinarians earning around $75,312, while those at the higher end can make up to $201,263. These figures are derived from the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity. This compensation model reflects the local job market dynamics, shaping how veterinarian pay in Denton aligns with the overall demand for services and economic conditions in the area.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,312 | $36.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,123 | $48.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,847 | $62.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,204 | $79.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,263 | $96.76 |
Median Salary Position
5.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denton
In Denton, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,951 (2026 est.). At $129,847, the local median is 5.45% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denton Veterinarian Pay Compares
Denton median: $129,847/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,631 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -5.45% less |
Veterinarians in Denton, TX earn a median of $129,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.45% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $130,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denton 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.
Denton, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $129,847 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,257 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,256
2025 BLS Actual
$123,008
2026 Current Est.
$129,847
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,256 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,899 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,631 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,642 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,008 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,847 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,067 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denton metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $90,256 (2019) to $123,008 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,067 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,811 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denton 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) | $75,312 – $101,123 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,123 – $129,847 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,847 – $166,204 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,204 – $201,263 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Denton
In Denton, a total of 33 veterinarians are employed, reflecting a niche yet stable market for this profession. The local cost of living index stands at 96, slightly below the national average, which indicates that veterinarians may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to other regions. Corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which make up about 25% of the local practice market, typically offer higher pay compared to independent clinics, but practice diversity plays a significant role in compensation rates. Specialty certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care can significantly increase earnings potential, driving up the variation in pay. New graduates may find lucrative sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas as well. Strategically, aspiring veterinarians should consider securing specialty board certification and exploring corporate opportunities, which often include production-based pay structures and equitable partnerships.
More salary data for Denton, 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 $123,008 for veterinariansin the Denton 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 Denton 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