Veterinarian Salary in Washington: $168,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $168,996/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $157,352 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Richland ($166,928), Bellevue ($165,415), Seattle ($163,810).
As a career advisor specializing in veterinary professions, it's essential to highlight the salary landscape for veterinarians in Washington. In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in the state is projected to be $168,996, significantly higher than the national median of $137,334, representing a difference of +23.1%. These figures indicate that Washington offers promising compensation for veterinary professionals. The salary range varies considerably across cities, with Richland offering the highest pay at $176,209 and Vancouver at the lower end with $139,939. This $36,270 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of practices in urban areas compared to more rural locations. Importantly, Washington has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that veterinarians must navigate, which can influence their career paths and opportunities. Furthermore, a 5.56% annual compound growth rate suggests a positive job market outlook for veterinarians in the state, driven by an increasing pet population and a growing emphasis on animal health. In total, there are 2,504 veterinarians employed in Washington, with cities like Bellevue ($174,612), Seattle ($172,918), Kennewick ($172,612), and Renton ($171,564) also offering competitive salaries.
Washington Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $81,164 (lowest entry-level) to $331,268 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington veterinarians earn 23.05% more than the national median (+$31,662/year difference).
Washington Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Washington range from $101,569 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $269,939 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $168,996. The Washington median is $31,662 above the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $81.25/hr. Approximately 2,504 veterinarians are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$96,027
2025 BLS Actual
$160,095
2026 Current Est.
$168,996
2019–2027 Growth
+85.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,027 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,857 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,388 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,467 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,051 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 66.7% from $96,027 (2019) to $160,095 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $82,365 (85.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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 Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Vancouver | $139,939 |
| Tukwila | $154,543 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $154,782 |
| Covington | $156,957 |
| Kenmore | $156,970 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima | $166,975 | 95.545 | $174,761 |
| Kennewick | $172,612 | 100.079 | $172,476 |
| Richland | $176,209 | 107.4 | $164,068 |
| Bellevue | $174,612 | 107.4 | $162,581 |
| Olympia | $167,714 | 103.67 | $161,777 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $101,569 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $168,996 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $269,939 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richland | $176,209 |
| 2 | Bellevue | $174,612 |
| 3 | Seattle | $172,918 |
| 4 | Kennewick | $172,612 |
| 5 | Renton | $171,564 |
| 6 | Tacoma | $170,034 |
| 7 | Everett | $169,902 |
| 8 | Tumwater | $169,250 |
| 9 | Marysville | $168,630 |
| 10 | Olympia | $167,714 |
| 11 | Shoreline | $167,703 |
| 12 | Bremerton | $167,418 |
| 13 | Redmond | $167,040 |
| 14 | Yakima | $166,975 |
| 15 | Kent | $166,903 |
| 16 | Kirkland | $166,631 |
| 17 | Burien | $166,419 |
| 18 | Lacey | $166,338 |
| 19 | Mount Vernon | $165,708 |
| 20 | Federal Way | $165,687 |
| 21 | Des Moines | $165,651 |
| 22 | Auburn | $165,266 |
| 23 | Lakewood | $165,200 |
| 24 | Issaquah | $165,106 |
| 25 | Sammamish | $164,021 |
| 26 | University Place | $163,964 |
| 27 | SeaTac | $163,834 |
| 28 | Spokane Valley | $163,345 |
| 29 | Pasco | $163,135 |
| 30 | Longview | $163,056 |
| 31 | Edmonds | $162,135 |
| 32 | Lake Stevens | $161,707 |
| 33 | Lynnwood | $161,603 |
| 34 | Moses Lake | $161,291 |
| 35 | Bothell | $161,175 |
| 36 | Pullman | $160,462 |
| 37 | Spokane | $160,261 |
| 38 | Puyallup | $160,099 |
| 39 | Ellensburg | $159,497 |
| 40 | Maple Valley | $159,060 |
| 41 | Walla Walla | $158,709 |
| 42 | Camas | $158,658 |
| 43 | Wenatchee | $158,528 |
| 44 | Bellingham | $158,087 |
| 45 | Oak Harbor | $157,988 |
| 46 | Kenmore | $156,970 |
| 47 | Covington | $156,957 |
| 48 | Mountlake Terrace | $154,782 |
| 49 | Tukwila | $154,543 |
| 50 | Vancouver | $139,939 |
More Washington Salary Data
Compare Cities in Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Washington?
How does Washington veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Washington?
How many veterinarians are employed in Washington?
Which Washington 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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 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