Veterinarian Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $161,707 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $161,707/year (≈ $77.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $150,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Lake Stevens, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $161,707, reflecting a significant premium in compensation compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at $100,535 (P10) while the highest-paid professionals can earn up to $250,647 (P90). These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate that specializing in areas such as surgery or internal medicine can lead to substantially greater earnings. As the job market for veterinarians continues to grow, professionals in Lake Stevens stand to benefit from these competitive salary levels, which highlight the region's demand for qualified veterinary services.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,535 | $48.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,614 | $63.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,707 | $77.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $199,987 | $96.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $250,647 | $120.51 |
Median Salary Position
17.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $150,112 (2026 est.). At $161,707, the local median is 17.75% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Stevens Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $161,707/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,226 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +17.75% more |
Veterinarians in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $161,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.75% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $167,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,707 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,565 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,402
2025 BLS Actual
$153,190
2026 Current Est.
$161,707
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,865 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,184 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,238 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,501 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,707 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,698 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $112,402 (2019) to $153,190 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,698 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,296 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $100,535 – $131,614 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,614 – $161,707 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,707 – $199,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $199,987 – $250,647 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lake Stevens
Currently, Lake Stevens employs a small yet dedicated group of nine veterinarians, which reinforces the area's relatively stable job market. The cost-of-living index sits at 107.4, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power for veterinarians may be slightly constrained compared to national averages. In this local environment, corporate practices, including chains like VCA and BluePearl, often offer the highest salaries—accounting for approximately 25% of the market. Factors such as board certification, particularly in specialized fields, can create disparities in pay, benefiting those with advanced credentials significantly. Considering the increasing trend in corporate consolidation of veterinary clinics, aspiring veterinarians should focus on gaining specialized training and experience to maximize their pay potential while remaining adaptable to the evolving dynamics of the industry in Lake Stevens, WA.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 $153,190 for veterinariansin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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