Veterinarian Salary in Kent, WA: $166,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Kent, WA earns a median $166,903/year (≈ $80.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $155,403 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Kent, Washington are projected to earn a median annual salary of $166,903 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $137,334. This substantial pay differential highlights the competitive nature of the veterinarian job market in the area. Salaries for veterinarians in Kent range from $97,066 at the 10th percentile to $258,700 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse spectrum of practice types and specialty areas. These figures, derived from data based on 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional price variations, indicate how the corporate consolidation trend in veterinary practices may influence financial outcomes. In particular, corporate practices often provide structured pay levels that can offer both stability and significant earning potential compared to independent practices.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,066 | $46.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,743 | $62.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,903 | $80.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $213,635 | $102.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $258,700 | $124.37 |
Median Salary Position
21.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $161,634 (2026 est.). At $166,903, the local median is 21.53% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Veterinarian Pay Compares
Kent median: $166,903/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,238 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +21.53% more |
Veterinarians in Kent, WA earn a median of $166,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.53% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $167,238.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,903 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,403 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,014
2025 BLS Actual
$158,112
2026 Current Est.
$166,903
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,014 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,981 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,744 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,112 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,183 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $116,014 (2019) to $158,112 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,183 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,169 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $97,066 – $130,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,743 – $166,903 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,903 – $213,635 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $213,635 – $258,700 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Kent
In terms of market dynamics, Kent employs approximately 33 veterinarians, and the cost-of-living index of 107.4 suggests that while earnings are robust, the local expenses are slightly above the national average. Corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which account for about 25% of the local market, typically offer higher compensation compared to independent clinics, primarily due to their structured salary ranges and potential for production-based bonuses. The disparity in veterinarian pay in Kent, WA often reflects factors such as specialty certifications, with board-certified veterinarians earning considerably more than their general practice counterparts. Aspiring veterinarians seeking to maximize their income might consider engaging in specialty training or aligning with corporate entities to leverage sign-on bonuses and advancement in production-based compensation models. Understanding these local economic nuances will empower veterinarians to make informed decisions about their career paths in Kent.
More salary data for Kent, 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 $158,112 for veterinariansin the Kent 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 Kent 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