Veterinarian Salary in Richmond, VA: $128,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Richmond, VA earns a median $128,435/year (≈ $61.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $131,246 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Richmond, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $128,435 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary range is quite broad, starting from $85,577 at the 10th percentile to a high of $228,136 at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, projected to 2026. As Richmond's veterinary market continues to evolve, those with specialty board certifications—particularly in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care—are likely to see significant salary premiums compared to general practitioners, reflecting the growing demand for specialty services in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,577 | $41.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,683 | $48.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,435 | $61.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,955 | $84.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,136 | $109.69 |
Median Salary Position
6.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,559 (2026 est.). At $128,435, the local median is 6.48% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Veterinarian Pay Compares
Richmond median: $128,435/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $126,662 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.48% less |
Veterinarians in Richmond, VA earn a median of $128,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.48% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.40% above the Virginia state average of $126,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $128,435 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,246 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,580
2025 BLS Actual
$121,670
2026 Current Est.
$128,435
2019–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 31.4% from $92,580 (2019) to $121,670 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,996 (46.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $85,577 – $100,683 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,683 – $128,435 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,435 – $174,955 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,955 – $228,136 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Richmond
Richmond's veterinary job market is robust, employing around 420 veterinarians, which positions it well for new and experienced veterinarians alike. The cost of living index stands at 97.858, indicating a setting slightly below the national average. This relatively affordable living environment means that veterinarians in Richmond can maintain a good standard of living, although the variation in pay can be substantial. Corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which comprise approximately 25% of the market, typically offer competitive salaries compared to independent practices. The disparities in earnings are influenced by factors such as specialty certifications, production-based compensation models, ownership stakes, and the availability of sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in less saturated areas. To maximize veterinarian pay in Richmond, professionals should consider obtaining specialty certifications and exploring opportunities in corporate practices or emergent specialties to take full advantage of the current market trends.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 $121,670 for veterinariansin the Richmond 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
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