Veterinarian Salary in Bellevue, WA: $174,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Bellevue, WA earns a median $174,612/year (≈ $83.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $162,581 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Bellevue, Washington, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $174,612 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market that provides significant compensation relative to the national median of $137,334. Salary ranges for local veterinarians vary widely, with entry-level positions starting around $101,275 and top earners making as much as $270,648. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, showcase the strong demand for veterinary services in the area, particularly in specialized fields. Bellevue's job market offers opportunities for both general practitioners and those specializing in areas like surgery or internal medicine, which command higher salaries due to the additional expertise and training required.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,275 | $48.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,856 | $62.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,612 | $83.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $223,503 | $107.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $270,648 | $130.12 |
Median Salary Position
27.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $169,373 (2026 est.). At $174,612, the local median is 27.14% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Veterinarian Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $174,612/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,253 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +27.14% more |
Veterinarians in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $174,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.14% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.40% above the Washington state average of $167,253.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,612 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $162,581 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,372
2025 BLS Actual
$165,415
2026 Current Est.
$174,612
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,372 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,191 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,289 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,429 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,543 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,415 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,321 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $121,372 (2019) to $165,415 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $184,321 by 2027 — a total increase of $62,949 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $101,275 – $130,856 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,856 – $174,612 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,612 – $223,503 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $223,503 – $270,648 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Bellevue
Looking beyond the base salary patterns, the veterinarian pay structure in Bellevue, WA, is influenced by several factors, including the concentration of corporate practices and specialty referrals. With 26 veterinarians currently practicing in the area, the local job market demonstrates a steady demand for veterinary services. Bellevue's cost-of-living index of 107.4 signifies that expenses are higher than the national average, affecting take-home purchasing power. Employers among corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl often offer competitive pay alongside lucrative sign-on bonuses that range up to $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand specialties. The variance in compensation stems from factors such as practice ownership, production-based incentives, and specialty board certifications that can double or triple the earnings of general practitioners. For aspiring veterinarians, focusing on gaining specialized credentials and considering employment with corporate entities may enhance their earning potential in this thriving market.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
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 $165,415 for veterinariansin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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