Veterinarian Salary in The Woodlands, TX: $137,965 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in The Woodlands, TX earns a median $137,965/year (≈ $66.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in The Woodlands's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $143,714 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in The Woodlands, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $137,965 in 2026, which slightly outpaces the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this role spans from $80,020 at the 10th percentile to $213,846 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant earning potential for those with specialization. These figures are derived from state-level data adjusted for local economic conditions and reflect the growing demand for veterinary services. With advancements and interest in specialized practice areas such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care, the salary spectrum can vary widely based on qualifications and experience, indicating a competitive job market for veterinarians in The Woodlands.
About the The Woodlands Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,022 | $51.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,965 | $66.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,594 | $84.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,846 | $102.82 |
Median Salary Position
0.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Woodlands
In The Woodlands, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,826 (2026 est.). At $137,965, the local median is 0.46% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Woodlands: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Woodlands Veterinarian Pay Compares
The Woodlands median: $137,965/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Woodlands Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,525 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.46% more |
Veterinarians in The Woodlands, TX earn a median of $137,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.46% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 5.70% above the Texas state average of $130,525.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Woodlands 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.
The Woodlands, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $137,965 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,714 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,899
2025 BLS Actual
$130,698
2026 Current Est.
$137,965
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in The Woodlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,706 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,831 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,647 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,698 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,965 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,636 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Woodlands metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $95,899 (2019) to $130,698 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,636 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,737 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Woodlands 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) | $80,020 – $108,022 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,022 – $137,965 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,965 – $176,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,594 – $213,846 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in The Woodlands
The job market for veterinarians in The Woodlands currently houses about 21 professionals, which indicates a relatively small but promising local sector. Given the cost-of-living index of 96, which is below the national average, earnings translate into a reasonable purchasing power for residents. Among the top-paying entities are corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, making up approximately 25% of the local market. High salaries are often tied to specialty certifications, production-based compensation, and practice ownership models. Emerging trends show that those new to the field may receive sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 due to a shortage in specific areas. For prospective veterinarians, aligning with corporate entities or pursuing specialization can be strategic pathways to maximizing pay within The Woodlands's unique market.
More salary data for The Woodlands, 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 $130,698 for veterinariansin the The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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