Veterinarian Salary in Friendswood, TX: $126,224 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Friendswood, TX earns a median $126,224/year (≈ $60.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Friendswood's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $131,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Friendswood, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $126,224 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the local job market. This figure is determined by a variety of factors, including the production-based compensation model prevalent in the profession, where veterinarians' pay often correlates with the revenue they generate. Salary ranges for this role extend from $78,358 at the lower end to an impressive $195,648 at the upper percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, indicate a potentially robust earning capacity for dedicated veterinarians in the area. Given Friendswood's emerging market dynamics, practitioners may find opportunities for growth and advancement in both private practices and corporate settings.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,358 | $37.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,649 | $49.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,224 | $60.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,758 | $77.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,648 | $94.06 |
Median Salary Position
8.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Friendswood
In Friendswood, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,290 (2026 est.). At $126,224, the local median is 8.09% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Friendswood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Friendswood Veterinarian Pay Compares
Friendswood median: $126,224/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Friendswood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,532 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -8.09% less |
Veterinarians in Friendswood, TX earn a median of $126,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $130,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Friendswood 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.
Friendswood, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $126,224 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,483 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,738
2025 BLS Actual
$119,576
2026 Current Est.
$126,224
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,222 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,251 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,907 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,466 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,499 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,576 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,224 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Friendswood metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $87,738 (2019) to $119,576 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,505 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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) | $78,358 – $102,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,649 – $126,224 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,224 – $160,758 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,758 – $195,648 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Friendswood
The local employment landscape includes eight veterinarians currently working in Friendswood, which supports an environment ripe for professional collaboration and mentorship. With a cost-of-living index at 96, salaries must stretch further compared to the national average, influencing actual take-home pay for veterinarians. Corporate practices, particularly chains like VCA and BluePearl, account for about 25% of local veterinary employment and generally offer more structured compensation packages, including potential sign-on bonuses ranging from $50K to $150K for new graduates in shortage areas. Additionally, the disparity in pay between various types of practices—ranging from small companion animal clinics to equine and specialty referral centers—highlights the industry’s complexity. Those with specialty board certifications—such as surgery or internal medicine—will often command higher salaries. For veterinarians aiming to maximize their pay in Friendswood, exploring opportunities within corporate settings or pursuing specialty certifications may yield the best financial rewards.
More salary data for Friendswood, 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 $119,576 for veterinariansin the Friendswood 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 Friendswood 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