Veterinarian Salary in San Antonio, TX: $135,697 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in San Antonio, TX earns a median $135,697/year (≈ $65.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $143,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in San Antonio, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $135,697 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians in this city varies widely, from $85,102 at the 10th percentile to as much as $214,245 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the earning potential for those in specialized fields, such as surgery and emergency critical care, where board certification can considerably enhance compensation. As the veterinary profession grows, the demand for skilled practitioners continues to rise, making San Antonio an increasingly attractive destination for veterinary professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,102 | $40.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,247 | $60.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,697 | $65.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,724 | $85.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,245 | $103.01 |
Median Salary Position
1.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,143 (2026 est.). At $135,697, the local median is 1.19% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Antonio Veterinarian Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $135,697/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,604 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.19% less |
Veterinarians in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $135,697 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.19% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.90% above the Texas state average of $130,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,697 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$98,800
2025 BLS Actual
$128,550
2026 Current Est.
$135,697
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,697 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 30.1% from $98,800 (2019) to $128,550 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,442 (44.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $85,102 – $125,247 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,247 – $135,697 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,697 – $178,724 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,724 – $214,245 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in San Antonio
The job market for veterinarians in San Antonio is robust, with approximately 550 veterinarians currently practicing in the area. Despite the lower cost of living index at 94.716, which indicates a slightly more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, it enhances the effective purchasing power for veterinarians. Animal hospitals and veterinary clinics, particularly corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, represent about 25% of the local market and tend to offer competitive salaries, often accompanied by production-based compensation models. Factors such as specialty certifications, production metrics, and potential sign-on bonuses between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates can significantly drive salary disparities. For veterinarians seeking to maximize their pay in this market, targeting employment in specialty practices, considering corporate affiliations, and aiming for advanced certifications are effective strategies to enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in San Antonio, TX in 2026?
Is San Antonio, TX a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in San Antonio?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in San Antonio?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in San Antonio?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $128,550 for veterinariansin the San Antonio 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