Veterinarian Salary in Payson, UT: $126,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Payson, UT earns a median $126,524/year (≈ $60.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Payson's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $128,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in Payson, Utah, can expect a median annual salary of $126,524 for 2026, which reflects a notable shift against the backdrop of national averages. The salary range for practitioners in this area sprawls from $73,384 at the 10th percentile to $192,590 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earning potential shaped by various factors such as experience, specialization, and work setting. These figures are derived from recent state-level estimates and regional cost adjustments, providing a nuanced picture of what veterinarians can anticipate in terms of compensation. Understanding the local job dynamics becomes essential, especially as the market for veterinary services in Payson continues to evolve amidst rising demand.
About the Payson Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($114,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,384 | $35.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,922 | $50.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,524 | $60.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,331 | $74.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,590 | $92.59 |
Median Salary Position
7.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Payson
In Payson, UT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,206 (2026 est.). At $126,524, the local median is 7.87% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Payson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Payson Veterinarian Pay Compares
Payson median: $126,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Payson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $134,744 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -7.87% less |
Veterinarians in Payson, UT earn a median of $126,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.87% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.10% below the Utah state average of $134,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Payson has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Payson, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $126,524 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,975 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% 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
$87,946
2025 BLS Actual
$119,860
2026 Current Est.
$126,524
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Payson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,946 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,438 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,726 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,027 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Payson metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $87,946 (2019) to $119,860 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,613 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Payson 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) | $73,384 – $104,922 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,922 – $126,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,524 – $154,331 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,331 – $192,590 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Payson
The current job market for veterinarians in Payson is small, with only six veterinary professionals employed locally, indicating a competitive landscape where experience and specialization can significantly influence earning potential. The area's cost of living index, sitting at 98.1, is below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. In Payson, pay varies widely based on practice type; large animal/equine practices and specialty referral hospitals often offer higher compensation compared to standard small animal clinics, especially those under corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl. Factors like board certification in specialties such as surgery or internal medicine can leverage pay significantly, sometimes doubling or tripling the earnings of general practice veterinarians. To maximize income in this market, new graduates and seasoned veterinarians alike should consider roles in corporate practices with structured incentive programs and potential signing bonuses that range between $50,000 and $150,000 for positions in high-need areas.
More salary data for Payson, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Payson, UT in 2026?
Is Payson, UT a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Payson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Payson?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Payson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Utah
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 $119,860 for veterinariansin the Payson 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 Payson 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