Veterinarian Salary in Washington, UT: $130,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Washington, UT earns a median $130,875/year (≈ $62.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Washington's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $133,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Washington, Utah, the projected veterinarian salary in 2026 reaches a median of $130,875, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national average of $137,334 for the same year. Local veterinarians can expect a salary that ranges from $75,908 at the 10th percentile to as high as $202,857 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the profession. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, which account for Washington's relatively affordable cost of living, with a cost-of-living index at 98.1. The job market for veterinarians here is competitive yet promising, with the potential for specialized roles to command higher salaries, particularly in fields like surgery or internal medicine.
About the Washington Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($114,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,908 | $36.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,223 | $51.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,875 | $62.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,449 | $80.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,857 | $97.53 |
Median Salary Position
4.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, UT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,949 (2026 est.). At $130,875, the local median is 4.7% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Veterinarian Pay Compares
Washington median: $130,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $134,784 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.70% less |
Veterinarians in Washington, UT earn a median of $130,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.70% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.90% below the Utah state average of $134,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington 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.
Washington, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $130,875 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,410 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
$90,971
2025 BLS Actual
$123,982
2026 Current Est.
$130,875
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,971 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,404 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,499 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,152 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $90,971 (2019) to $123,982 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,152 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,181 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $75,908 – $107,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,223 – $130,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,875 – $167,449 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,449 – $202,857 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Washington
In Washington, the local job market features a modest number of employed veterinarians, numbering six. Despite this small workforce, the cost of living presents a welcoming environment for veterinarians, contributing to more effective take-home purchasing power. Employers among small animal clinics, particularly corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, typically lead in offering competitive salaries compared to independent practices. The broader pay spectrum reflects the increasing influence of specialty board certification, where veterinarians in specialized fields can earn significantly more than their general practice counterparts. Compensation structures are evolving, with options like production-based pay becoming more common, alongside enticing sign-on bonuses of $50,000 to $150,000 for positions in high-demand areas. To optimize earnings in Washington, UT, aspiring veterinarians should consider pursuing specialty certifications and exploring employment in corporate settings, where salaries often reflect the financial capabilities of larger practices compared to independents.
More salary data for Washington, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Washington, UT in 2026?
Is Washington, UT a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Washington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Washington?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Washington?
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 $123,982 for veterinariansin the Washington 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 Washington 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