Veterinarian Salary in Bellingham, WA: $158,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Bellingham, WA earns a median $158,087/year (≈ $76.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $152,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian salary in Bellingham, WA, is projected to sit at $158,087, significantly higher than the national median of $137,334, placing Bellingham veterinarians at a 15.11% premium in compensation. The salary range is broad, with entry-level positions earning around $109,054 and top earners pushing to $232,338. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS statistics and projected to 2026, reflects the duality in practice structure within the community. Veterinarians in Bellingham can expect differing pay scales depending on whether they work for corporate entities or independent practices, affecting financial outcomes and job satisfaction in this competitive job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,054 | $52.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,630 | $60.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,087 | $76.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,604 | $90.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,338 | $111.70 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,284 (2026 est.). At $158,087, the local median is 15.11% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Veterinarian Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $158,087/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,111 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +15.11% more |
Veterinarians in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $158,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 5.40% below the Washington state average of $167,111.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,087 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,986 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,980
2025 BLS Actual
$149,760
2026 Current Est.
$158,087
2019–2027 Growth
+73.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,876 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 56.0% from $95,980 (2019) to $149,760 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,876 by 2027 — a total increase of $70,896 (73.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $109,054 – $126,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,630 – $158,087 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,087 – $188,604 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,604 – $232,338 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Bellingham
With 80 veterinarians currently employed in the Bellingham area, the local job market shows a healthy opportunity for aspiring veterinarians. However, a cost-of-living index of 103.334 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, which can impact purchasing power. Corporate chains, such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, represent about 25% of the market and tend to offer higher salaries compared to independent practices. Factors driving variations in veterinarian pay in Bellingham include specialty board certification in fields like surgery or internal medicine, the influence of production-based compensation models, and potential sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for recent graduates. To maximize earnings, emerging veterinarians should consider gaining specialized skills or pursuing positions within corporate frameworks, where pay structures can be more lucrative compared to traditional independent practices.
More salary data for Bellingham, 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 $149,760 for veterinariansin the Bellingham 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