Veterinarian Salary in Waco, TX: $129,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Waco, TX earns a median $129,754/year (≈ $62.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $140,199 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Waco, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $129,754 in 2026, which indicates a slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $102,573 at the 10th percentile to as high as $207,563 at the 90th percentile. This compensation model is influenced not just by experience, but also by the revenue generated by veterinarians, particularly in a competitive job market where corporate practices often lead in pay scales. Data derived from reliable 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates a growing need for veterinary services in Waco, driven in part by trends such as corporate consolidation, which may affect salary structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,573 | $49.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,685 | $54.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,754 | $62.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,871 | $84.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,563 | $99.79 |
Median Salary Position
5.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,990 (2026 est.). At $129,754, the local median is 5.52% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Veterinarian Pay Compares
Waco median: $129,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,538 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -5.52% less |
Veterinarians in Waco, TX earn a median of $129,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.52% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $130,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $129,754 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,199 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,200
2025 BLS Actual
$122,920
2026 Current Est.
$129,754
2019–2027 Growth
+58.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 42.6% from $86,200 (2019) to $122,920 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,769 (58.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $102,573 – $112,685 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,685 – $129,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,754 – $174,871 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,871 – $207,563 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Waco
With around 50 veterinarians currently employed in Waco, the local job market is robust, especially given the cost of living index of 92.55, suggesting a more affordable living compared to the national average. This disparity in living costs allows veterinarians to potentially enjoy enhanced purchasing power despite local salary figures. Those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Waco, TX, should focus on entering specialized fields such as surgery or internal medicine, which can command significantly higher wages. Additionally, securing positions in corporate practices like VCA or BluePearl may offer more lucrative compensation packages, including signing bonuses that can reach between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates. Understanding these dynamics is essential for optimizing one’s earnings in the Waco veterinary market.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $122,920 for veterinariansin the Waco 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