Veterinarian Salary in Pasco, WA: $163,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Pasco, WA earns a median $163,135/year (≈ $78.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Pasco's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $151,895 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Pasco, Washington, can anticipate a median annual salary of $163,135 in 2026, with compensation outpacing the national average by 18.79%, as the national median stands at $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians in the area extends from $96,041 at the 10th percentile to $252,858 at the 90th percentile. This data reflects projections based on 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional price variations in the market. With an increasing demand for skilled veterinary professionals, particularly those with specialty board certifications in areas like surgery or internal medicine, Pasco's job market presents significant opportunities for both new graduates and established veterinarians.
About the Pasco Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,041 | $46.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,514 | $61.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,135 | $78.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,812 | $100.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $252,858 | $121.56 |
Median Salary Position
18.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasco
In Pasco, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $156,817 (2026 est.). At $163,135, the local median is 18.79% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasco Veterinarian Pay Compares
Pasco median: $163,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,146 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +18.79% more |
Veterinarians in Pasco, WA earn a median of $163,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.79% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.40% below the Washington state average of $167,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasco has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasco, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,135 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,895 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,394
2025 BLS Actual
$154,542
2026 Current Est.
$163,135
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Pasco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,394 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,896 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,227 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,475 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,803 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,542 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,205 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasco metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $113,394 (2019) to $154,542 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,205 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,811 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasco 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) | $96,041 – $128,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,514 – $163,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,135 – $208,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,812 – $252,858 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Pasco
In Pasco, the job market is relatively small, with 18 veterinarians employed locally. The cost of living index at 107.4 indicates that while expenses are above the national average, the projected salary can still provide a favorable standard of living. Specialty practices tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly in organizational settings like corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which capture roughly 25% of the local market. In contrast, independent practices, equine services, and mixed animal practices generally offer lower pay but might provide other benefits, like fewer hours or greater professional autonomy. Factors influencing the pay disparity include specialty board certification, production-based compensation, and ownership opportunities. For those entering the field, seeking positions in specialized practices or leveraging partnership tracks in corporate environments can significantly enhance total compensation in Pasco, WA.
More salary data for Pasco, 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 $154,542 for veterinariansin the Pasco 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 Pasco 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