Veterinarian Salary in South Burlington, VT: $139,856 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in South Burlington, VT earns a median $139,856/year (≈ $67.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in South Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $135,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in South Burlington, VT, show a promising financial outlook with a median annual salary of $139,856, slightly outpacing the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in the area is quite broad, spanning from $81,117 for entry-level positions to a high of $216,778 for top earners. These figures, drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS data, highlight the impact of practice structure on compensation. Corporate consolidations, with chains like VCA and BluePearl representing about 25% of the local market, often offer standardized salary packages that differ from independent practices, which can vary widely in pay based on ownership and operational strategies. This structural divide plays a critical role in shaping compensation dynamics in South Burlington.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,117 | $38.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,363 | $52.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,856 | $67.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,737 | $84.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,778 | $104.22 |
Median Salary Position
1.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
In South Burlington, VT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,661 (2026 est.). At $139,856, the local median is 1.84% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Burlington Veterinarian Pay Compares
South Burlington median: $139,856/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $142,131 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.84% more |
Veterinarians in South Burlington, VT earn a median of $139,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.84% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.60% below the Vermont state average of $142,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Burlington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,856 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,127 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,214
2025 BLS Actual
$132,490
2026 Current Est.
$139,856
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,214 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,073 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,157 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,288 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,856 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,632 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Burlington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $97,214 (2019) to $132,490 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,632 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,418 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Burlington 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) | $81,117 – $108,363 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,363 – $139,856 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,856 – $176,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,737 – $216,778 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in South Burlington
As of now, only four veterinarians are employed in this locale, indicating a relatively small job market that may influence available opportunities and earnings potential. The cost-of-living index in South Burlington sits at 103.5, slightly above the national average, suggesting that take-home pay must reflect local market conditions. Among local employers, corporate practices might provide more consistent pay structures compared to independent clinics, which often rely on varied compensation models influenced by factors such as production-based earnings, sign-on bonuses, and specialty board certifications. To maximize earnings in this competitive environment, veterinarians are advised to consider acquiring specialty credentials like those from ACVIM or ACVS, seek positions within corporate veterinary chains, and explore opportunities that offer potential ownership or significant bonuses.
More salary data for South Burlington, VT:
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 $132,490 for veterinariansin the South Burlington 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 South Burlington 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