Veterinarian Salary in SeaTac, WA: $163,834 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in SeaTac, WA earns a median $163,834/year (≈ $78.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in SeaTac's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $152,546 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in SeaTac, Washington, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $163,834 in 2026, reflecting a substantial premium compared to the national median of $137,334. The projected salary range stretches from $95,024 at the 10th percentile to $253,944 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant disparities based on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, highlight the competitive compensation landscape for veterinaries, driven in part by the level of board certification in specialties like surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care. As SeaTac’s job market evolves, awareness of the earnings potential linked to clinical expertise will be vital for professionals navigating their career paths.
About the SeaTac Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,024 | $45.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,984 | $60.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,834 | $78.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,626 | $96.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $253,944 | $122.09 |
Median Salary Position
19.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in SeaTac
In SeaTac, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,920 (2026 est.). At $163,834, the local median is 19.3% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in SeaTac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How SeaTac Veterinarian Pay Compares
SeaTac median: $163,834/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | SeaTac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,178 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +19.30% more |
Veterinarians in SeaTac, WA earn a median of $163,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.30% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $167,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
SeaTac has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
SeaTac, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,834 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,546 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,881
2025 BLS Actual
$155,205
2026 Current Est.
$163,834
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in SeaTac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,881 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,738 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,186 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,082 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,205 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,834 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the SeaTac metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $113,881 (2019) to $155,205 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,063 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the SeaTac 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) | $95,024 – $125,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,984 – $163,834 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,834 – $201,626 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,626 – $253,944 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in SeaTac
In SeaTac, the local job market employs only six veterinarians, suggesting a niche yet specialized demand within the region. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, which affects net take-home pay for veterinarians. Among potential employers, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl dominate with competitive pay structures, accounting for approximately 25% of market presence, while independent practices may offer different compensation models. The substantial pay gap observed in this city can be attributed to a range of factors, including specialty board certifications, production-based compensation models, and the presence of lucrative sign-on bonuses that may reach $150,000 for new graduates in high-need areas. For those looking to maximize their earnings in SeaTac, focusing on specialties, seeking positions at corporate practices, or considering practice ownership may present the best opportunities for financial growth in the evolving veterinary field.
More salary data for SeaTac, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in SeaTac?
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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 $155,205 for veterinariansin the SeaTac 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 SeaTac 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