Veterinarian Salary in Alexandria, VA: $161,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Alexandria, VA earns a median $161,556/year (≈ $77.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $156,547 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 27.5% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Alexandria, VA, enjoy a robust median annual salary of $161,556, considerably above the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession is quite wide, spanning from $94,605 at the 10th percentile to $250,413 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various factors such as the type of practice, experience, and areas of specialization. These figures stem from 2025 BLS state-level data, projected to 2026, considering regional price adjustments that can significantly impact earnings. While corporate veterinary practices, including chains like VCA and BluePearl, tend to offer structured pay scales and benefits, independent practices may provide different compensation based on their revenue models and client base. This dynamic influences the overall job market for veterinarians in the city.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,605 | $45.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,169 | $61.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,556 | $77.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $206,792 | $99.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $250,413 | $120.39 |
Median Salary Position
17.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, VA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $155,808 (2026 est.). At $161,556, the local median is 17.64% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alexandria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alexandria Veterinarian Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $161,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $126,711 | +27.50% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +17.64% more |
Veterinarians in Alexandria, VA earn a median of $161,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.64% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 27.50% above the Virginia state average of $126,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,556 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,547 — a 3.1% reduction.
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
$112,297
2025 BLS Actual
$153,047
2026 Current Est.
$161,556
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,756 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,073 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,956 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,539 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $112,297 (2019) to $153,047 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,539 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,242 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $94,605 – $127,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,169 – $161,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,556 – $206,792 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $206,792 – $250,413 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Alexandria
The local job market currently employs 26 veterinarians, demonstrating a focused but viable professional community in Alexandria. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, which slightly exceeds the national average and influences take-home pay. Notably, corporate animal hospitals attract a significant share of the market, often offering the highest salaries and benefits. However, independent practices and specialty referral hospitals can also be competitive, particularly when offering performance-based compensation or opportunities for ownership. The pay disparity is affected by factors such as specialty board certifications in veterinary fields like surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation, and sign-on bonuses, which can reach up to $150,000 in certain areas seeking new talent. For veterinary professionals considering a career in Alexandria, aligning with higher-paying entities and maintaining advanced credentials can considerably enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Alexandria, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Alexandria, VA in 2026?
Is Alexandria, VA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Alexandria?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Alexandria?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Alexandria?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $153,047 for veterinariansin the Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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