Veterinarian Salary in Federal Way, WA: $165,687 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Federal Way, WA earns a median $165,687/year (≈ $79.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Federal Way's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $154,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian salary in Federal Way reaches a median annual pay of $165,687, reflecting a robust compensation model influenced by production-based factors where revenue generation plays a significant role. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $96,099 at the 10th percentile to $256,815 at the 90th percentile, shedding light on the diverse earning potential within the region. This data, derived from BLS state-level assessments adjusted for regional cost of living, highlights that veterinarians in Federal Way earn approximately 20.65% more than the national median of $137,334. Such competitive wages are symptomatic of a healthy job market, with local practices likely focused on attracting and retaining skilled veterinarians amid increasing demand for veterinary care.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,099 | $46.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,373 | $61.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $165,687 | $79.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $212,080 | $101.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $256,815 | $123.47 |
Median Salary Position
20.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Federal Way
In Federal Way, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $160,716 (2026 est.). At $165,687, the local median is 20.65% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Federal Way: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Federal Way Veterinarian Pay Compares
Federal Way median: $165,687/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Federal Way Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,192 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +20.65% more |
Veterinarians in Federal Way, WA earn a median of $165,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.65% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $167,192.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Federal Way has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Federal Way, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $165,687 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,271 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,168
2025 BLS Actual
$156,960
2026 Current Est.
$165,687
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,168 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,092 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,579 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,689 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,131 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,687 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,899 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Federal Way metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $115,168 (2019) to $156,960 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,899 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,731 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Federal Way 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) | $96,099 – $128,373 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,373 – $165,687 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $165,687 – $212,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $212,080 – $256,815 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Federal Way
With 22 veterinarians currently employed in Federal Way, job availability remains a promising aspect of the local market. The cost of living index at 107.4 indicates higher living expenses compared to national averages, which necessitates competitive compensation to maintain purchasing power. Among the various practice types, corporate veterinary chains such as VCA and BluePearl dominate the employment landscape and typically offer higher salaries than independent practices. The significant variance in pay can be attributed to factors like specialty board certification in areas like surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation strategies, and equity structures in practice ownership. Maximizing salary potential in Federal Way may involve pursuing complementary credentials, considering jobs in corporate settings, or looking into specialties where demand outstrips supply, accompanied by lucrative sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in shortage areas. Understanding these dynamics is key for veterinarians aiming to enhance their earning trajectories in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Federal Way, 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 $156,960 for veterinariansin the Federal Way 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 Federal Way 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