Veterinarian Salary in Virginia: $126,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $126,495/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $122,573 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($153,047), Charlottesville ($127,460), Norfolk ($123,830).
In Virginia, the average median salary for veterinarians in 2026 is projected to be $126,496, which falls 7.9% below the national median of $137,334. This salary range showcases significant variability across different cities in the state, with Alexandria offering the highest pay at $161,556, while Staunton presents the lowest at $103,407. The salary gap between these cities can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and the presence of specialized practices in metropolitan areas. Virginia’s state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are critical for prospective veterinarians to understand, as they differ from regulations in other states. The demand for veterinary services in Virginia continues to grow, reflected by a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%, which indicates a strengthening job market for veterinarians. Major cities such as Charlottesville ($134,547), Norfolk ($130,715), Chesapeake ($129,293), and Virginia Beach ($128,794) also contribute to this favorable employment landscape. With 1,850 veterinarians currently employed in the state, those entering the field can expect a positive trajectory in both job availability and potential earnings based on the location and specialization they choose.
Virginia Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $50,658 (lowest entry-level) to $250,413 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia veterinarians earn 7.89% less than the national median ($-10,839/year difference).
Virginia Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Virginia range from $72,030 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $215,956 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $126,495. The Virginia median is $10,839 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $60.82/hr. Approximately 1,850 veterinarians are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$91,891
2025 BLS Actual
$119,833
2026 Current Est.
$126,495
2019–2027 Growth
+45.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,891 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,253 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,588 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,643 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,807 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,833 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,528 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 30.4% from $91,891 (2019) to $119,833 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,528 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,637 (45.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Staunton | $103,407 |
| Blacksburg | $111,155 |
| Radford | $113,098 |
| Bristol | $113,484 |
| Lynchburg | $113,868 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $161,556 | 103.2 | $156,547 |
| Roanoke | $128,720 | 93.618 | $137,495 |
| Charlottesville | $134,547 | 99.146 | $135,706 |
| Harrisonburg | $126,661 | 94.892 | $133,479 |
| Virginia Beach | $128,794 | 97.941 | $131,502 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,030 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $126,495 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $215,956 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $161,556 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $134,547 |
| 3 | Norfolk | $130,715 |
| 4 | Chesapeake | $129,293 |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | $128,794 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $128,720 |
| 7 | Richmond | $128,435 |
| 8 | Newport News | $127,646 |
| 9 | Harrisonburg | $126,661 |
| 10 | Hampton | $126,521 |
| 11 | Centreville | $125,932 |
| 12 | Winchester | $125,437 |
| 13 | Burke | $125,078 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $124,538 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $124,184 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $124,006 |
| 17 | McLean | $123,997 |
| 18 | Reston | $123,865 |
| 19 | Danville | $123,840 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $123,309 |
| 21 | Dale City | $123,284 |
| 22 | Manassas | $123,152 |
| 23 | Salem | $122,807 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $122,631 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $122,560 |
| 26 | Mechanicsville | $122,365 |
| 27 | Springfield | $121,932 |
| 28 | Woodbridge | $121,766 |
| 29 | Sterling | $121,530 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $121,373 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $121,235 |
| 32 | Fairfax | $120,924 |
| 33 | Waynesboro | $120,333 |
| 34 | Annandale | $120,174 |
| 35 | Williamsburg | $119,943 |
| 36 | Herndon | $118,647 |
| 37 | Falls Church | $116,791 |
| 38 | Lynchburg | $113,868 |
| 39 | Bristol | $113,484 |
| 40 | Radford | $113,098 |
| 41 | Blacksburg | $111,155 |
| 42 | Staunton | $103,407 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinarian hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Virginia?
How does Virginia veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Virginia?
How many veterinarians are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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