Veterinarian Salary in Kennewick, WA: $172,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Kennewick, WA earns a median $172,612/year (≈ $82.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Kennewick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $172,476 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Kennewick, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $172,612, a notable increase compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range is significant, spanning from $103,924 at the 10th percentile to $232,897 at the 90th percentile. This data derives from projected figures based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the contrasting pay potential resulting from the structure of veterinary practices in the area. Corporate-owned clinics typically offer standardized pay scales, while independent practices may provide different compensation models, often influenced by factors like ownership equity and the ability to generate revenue. As the industry continues to evolve with consolidation trends, understanding these dynamics will be critical for new and experienced veterinarians alike in Kennewick.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,924 | $49.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,316 | $61.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,612 | $82.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,615 | $90.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,897 | $111.97 |
Median Salary Position
25.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
In Kennewick, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,973 (2026 est.). At $172,612, the local median is 25.69% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Kennewick: You'd be above the median
How Kennewick Veterinarian Pay Compares
Kennewick median: $172,612/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kennewick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,259 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +25.69% more |
Veterinarians in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $172,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.69% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% above the Washington state average of $167,259.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kennewick has a cost of living 0.08% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kennewick, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.079 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,612 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $172,476 — a 0.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,570
2025 BLS Actual
$163,520
2026 Current Est.
$172,612
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,694 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $182,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennewick metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 41.5% from $115,570 (2019) to $163,520 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $182,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $66,639 (57.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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) | $103,924 – $127,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,316 – $172,612 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,612 – $188,615 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,615 – $232,897 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Kennewick
The local job market is robust, hosting around 60 veterinarians in the area, which speaks to the community's demand for veterinary services. With a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.079, the take-home purchasing power of veterinarians may slightly diminish despite competitive salaries. Employers within Kennewick vary in terms of compensation, with corporate chains often leading the way in pay among small animal companion clinics, while specialty hospitals may offer higher salaries but require additional board certification. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include the availability of sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for recent graduates in shortage areas and the potential for production-based compensation models. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Kennewick, seeking specialization or building a strong practice ownership stake may yield the most substantial financial benefits in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Kennewick, 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 $163,520 for veterinariansin the Kennewick 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, 6-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