Veterinarian Salary in Olympia, WA: $167,714 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Olympia, WA earns a median $167,714/year (≈ $80.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Olympia's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.7), that paycheck buys what $161,777 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians operating in Olympia, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $167,714, which significantly exceeds the national average of $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians in this region is quite broad, spanning from $99,849 at the 10th percentile to $229,361 at the 90th percentile. This variance can primarily be attributed to factors such as specialty board certifications in areas like surgery or internal medicine, which command higher pay. The data reflects findings based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, suggesting a robust local job market with competitive compensation for qualified veterinarians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,849 | $48.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,046 | $60.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,714 | $80.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,597 | $93.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,361 | $110.27 |
Median Salary Position
22.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olympia
In Olympia, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,512 (2026 est.). At $167,714, the local median is 22.12% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Olympia: You'd be above the median
How Olympia Veterinarian Pay Compares
Olympia median: $167,714/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olympia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,212 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +22.12% more |
Veterinarians in Olympia, WA earn a median of $167,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.12% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.30% above the Washington state average of $167,212.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olympia has a cost of living 3.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Olympia, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,714 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,777 — a 3.54% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,380
2025 BLS Actual
$158,880
2026 Current Est.
$167,714
2019–2027 Growth
+125.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,714 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,039 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olympia metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 102.7% from $78,380 (2019) to $158,880 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $98,659 (125.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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) | $99,849 – $125,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,046 – $167,714 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,714 – $193,597 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,597 – $229,361 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Olympia
Within Olympia, the job market for veterinarians encompasses about 100 employed practitioners, indicative of a relatively concentrated workforce in the area. The cost of living index in Olympia sits at 103.67, slightly above the national average, positioning veterinarians to navigate the local economic landscape effectively. Prominent employers, including corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, account for roughly 25% of the market and typically offer higher salaries than independent clinics, driven by resources to support production-based compensation models. Factors influencing salary disparities consist of the impact of specialty certifications, revenue generation percentages, and practice ownership stakes. To enhance earning potential in Olympia, veterinarians should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring opportunities within corporate structures, or targeting specialty practices that provide higher compensation and bonuses.
More salary data for Olympia, 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 $158,880 for veterinariansin the Olympia 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, 7-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