Veterinarian Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $128,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $128,794/year (≈ $61.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $131,502 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Virginia Beach, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $128,794 in 2026, reflecting a slight decrease of 6.22% compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $57,900 at the 10th percentile to $224,431 at the 90th percentile. This compensation structure is heavily influenced by the production-based model, where a veterinarian's earnings often correlate with the revenue they generate. Additionally, Virginia Beach’s veterinary job market appears to be robust, driven by a diverse array of practices, including specialty and general veterinary clinics, which can significantly impact salary outcomes for professionals in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,749 | $47.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,794 | $61.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,594 | $85.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $224,431 | $107.90 |
Median Salary Position
6.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $166,531 (2026 est.). At $128,794, the local median is 6.22% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Veterinarian Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $128,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $126,641 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.22% less |
Veterinarians in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $128,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.22% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% above the Virginia state average of $126,641.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $128,794 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,502 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,230
2025 BLS Actual
$122,010
2026 Current Est.
$128,794
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,955 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 32.3% from $92,230 (2019) to $122,010 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,955 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,725 (47.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $57,900 – $97,749 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,749 – $128,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,794 – $177,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,594 – $224,431 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Virginia Beach
A total of 500 veterinarians are currently employed in Virginia Beach, providing a competitive job market for new and experienced professionals alike. The local cost of living, with an index of 97.941, suggests that veterinarians’ take-home pay offers relatively good purchasing power within the community. Corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl dominate a significant portion of the veterinary market, often providing higher salaries compared to independent clinics. Factors influencing the variability in veterinarian pay in Virginia Beach include specialty certifications, practice ownership equity, and the trend of corporate consolidation within the industry. New graduates can capitalize on sign-on bonuses that currently range from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialty board certifications or considering employment with larger corporate practices may present lucrative options due to the increased demand for specialty veterinary services in the region.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Virginia Beach?
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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 $122,010 for veterinariansin the Virginia Beach 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