Veterinarian Salary in Roanoke, VA: $128,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Roanoke, VA earns a median $128,720/year (≈ $61.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $137,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Roanoke, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $128,720 in 2026, which reflects a competitive pay structure amidst the evolving landscape of veterinary practice. With salaries ranging from $83,772 at the 10th percentile to $216,936 at the 90th percentile, this compensation is significantly shaped by production-based models where veterinarians earn a percentage of the revenue they generate. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates not just the financial opportunities available in Roanoke but also presents a compelling contrast to the national median salary of $137,334. With the local job market featuring around 100 veterinarians, the city offers a promising environment for aspiring and established veterinary professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,772 | $40.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,270 | $51.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,720 | $61.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,031 | $82.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,936 | $104.29 |
Median Salary Position
6.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,164 (2026 est.). At $128,720, the local median is 6.27% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Veterinarian Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $128,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $126,693 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.27% less |
Veterinarians in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $128,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.60% above the Virginia state average of $126,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $128,720 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,080
2025 BLS Actual
$121,940
2026 Current Est.
$128,720
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 28.2% from $95,080 (2019) to $121,940 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,797 (42.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $83,772 – $107,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,270 – $128,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,720 – $172,031 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,031 – $216,936 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Roanoke
In analyzing the compensation dynamics for veterinarians in Roanoke, the cost of living index of 93.618 indicates a relatively affordable landscape, enhancing the purchasing power of the annual income citizens can realize. Corporate practice chains like VCA and BluePearl, which comprise about 25% of the market, typically offer higher pay compared to independent clinics, along with perks like sign-on bonuses that can reach between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates in areas facing shortages. The income variance is driven by factors such as specialty board certifications, production incentives, and ownership stakes within practices. Additionally, veterinarians looking to maximize their salary in Roanoke might consider pursuing specialization or seeking positions within larger, corporate-backed organizations that offer structured pay scales and investment in career advancement. Such strategies can effectively elevate one’s veterinarian pay in Roanoke, VA.
More salary data for Roanoke, 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 $121,940 for veterinariansin the Roanoke 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