Veterinarian Salary in Kirkland, WA: $166,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Kirkland, WA earns a median $166,631/year (≈ $80.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Kirkland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $155,150 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Kirkland, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $166,631, which represents a notable 21.33% increase compared to the national median of $137,334. Salary projections indicate a wide range from $96,645 at the 10th percentile to $258,278 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors. This robust earning potential is influenced by the premium associated with specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care, creating a competitive job market that reflects the growing demand for qualified veterinarians across the region.
About the Kirkland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,645 | $46.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,494 | $60.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,631 | $80.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,221 | $101.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $258,278 | $124.17 |
Median Salary Position
21.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkland
In Kirkland, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $161,633 (2026 est.). At $166,631, the local median is 21.33% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkland Veterinarian Pay Compares
Kirkland median: $166,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,132 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +21.33% more |
Veterinarians in Kirkland, WA earn a median of $166,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.33% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.30% below the Washington state average of $167,132.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,150 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,824
2025 BLS Actual
$157,854
2026 Current Est.
$166,631
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kirkland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,824 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,423 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,782 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,288 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,507 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,991 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkland metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $115,824 (2019) to $157,854 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,071 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkland 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) | $96,645 – $125,494 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,494 – $166,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,631 – $211,221 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,221 – $258,278 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Kirkland
With 13 veterinarians currently practicing in Kirkland, the local job market showcases both strength and unique challenges, particularly against a cost of living index of 107.4, which exceeds the national average. Corporate practices such as VCA and BluePearl, which capture about 25% of the market, typically offer higher salaries compared to independent clinics, particularly for specialists. Factors driving salary disparities include specialty certifications, production-based compensation models, and equity stakes in successful practices. New graduates are currently seeing sign-on bonuses in the range of $50,000 to $150,000 in high-demand areas, adding to the overall compensation package. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Kirkland WA, pursuing advanced certifications and considering corporate roles could offer more lucrative opportunities while navigating this evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Kirkland, 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 $157,854 for veterinariansin the Kirkland 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 Kirkland 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