Veterinarian Salary in Lynnwood, WA: $161,603 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lynnwood, WA earns a median $161,603/year (≈ $77.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lynnwood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $150,468 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, veterinarians in Lynnwood, Washington, command a median annual salary of $161,603, outperforming the national median of $137,334 by 17.67%. The salary range for this profession varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $100,811 and experienced veterinarians potentially earning up to $250,484. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost considerations, reflect the production-based compensation model prevalent in veterinary practices. In Lynnwood, the job market for veterinary professionals is tightly interwoven with the demand for quality care, influencing effective compensation based on revenue generation.
About the Lynnwood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,811 | $48.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,403 | $63.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,603 | $77.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $199,857 | $96.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $250,484 | $120.42 |
Median Salary Position
17.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lynnwood
In Lynnwood, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $149,673 (2026 est.). At $161,603, the local median is 17.67% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lynnwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lynnwood Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lynnwood median: $161,603/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lynnwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,118 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +17.67% more |
Veterinarians in Lynnwood, WA earn a median of $161,603 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.67% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $167,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lynnwood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lynnwood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,603 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,468 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,329
2025 BLS Actual
$153,091
2026 Current Est.
$161,603
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lynnwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,329 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,789 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,107 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,147 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,406 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,091 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,603 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,588 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lynnwood metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $112,329 (2019) to $153,091 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,588 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,259 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lynnwood 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) | $100,811 – $131,403 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,403 – $161,603 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,603 – $199,857 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $199,857 – $250,484 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lynnwood
With only six veterinarians employed in the area, the job market in Lynnwood presents both opportunities and challenges. The higher cost-of-living index of 107.4 suggests that while salaries are competitive, actual take-home purchasing power can be impacted. Among employers, corporate veterinary groups like VCA and BluePearl, which make up approximately 25% of the local market, typically offer better pay than independent practices. Specialty certifications, such as those recognized by ACVIM or ACVS, can significantly enhance earning potential, with salaries often reaching two to three times that of general practice. The disparity in compensation is influenced not only by board certification and revenue-sharing models but also by the increasing trend of sign-on bonuses for new graduates in shortage areas. Veterans looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Lynnwood, WA, should consider pursuing specialized training or aligning with corporate practices that offer structured pathways for financial growth.
More salary data for Lynnwood, 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 $153,091 for veterinariansin the Lynnwood 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 Lynnwood 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