Veterinarian Salary in Spokane, WA: $160,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Spokane, WA earns a median $160,261/year (≈ $77.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Spokane's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $159,708 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Spokane, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $160,261 in 2026, showing a substantial premium compared to the national median of $137,334, reflecting a 16.69% increase. The projected salary range for veterinarians spans from $96,672 at the 10th percentile to $223,207 at the 90th percentile, providing a noticeable contrast for practitioners at varying experience levels and specialties. This data is anchored in the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. The thriving veterinary market in Spokane, coupled with an emphasis on advanced specialties, indicates a competitive environment, especially as the demand for specialized services continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,672 | $46.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,039 | $55.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,261 | $77.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,800 | $86.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,207 | $107.31 |
Median Salary Position
16.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spokane
In Spokane, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,535 (2026 est.). At $160,261, the local median is 16.69% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Spokane: You'd be above the median
How Spokane Veterinarian Pay Compares
Spokane median: $160,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spokane Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,113 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +16.69% more |
Veterinarians in Spokane, WA earn a median of $160,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.69% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.10% below the Washington state average of $167,113.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spokane has a cost of living 0.35% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spokane, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.346 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,261 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $159,708 — a 0.35% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,620
2025 BLS Actual
$151,820
2026 Current Est.
$160,261
2019–2027 Growth
+73.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Spokane (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spokane metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 55.5% from $97,620 (2019) to $151,820 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $71,552 (73.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spokane 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) | $96,672 – $115,039 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,039 – $160,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,261 – $179,800 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,800 – $223,207 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Spokane
With around 160 veterinarians actively practicing in the Spokane area, the job market remains robust despite the cost of living index standing slightly above the national average at 100.346. This reality impacts how much take-home purchasing power veterinarians enjoy and underscores the importance of strategic career decisions. Among local employers, corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate the market but often offer compensation models based on production, which can incentivize higher earnings for highly productive vets. As veterinary practices increasingly consolidate, veterinarians specializing in fields such as surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care often command higher salaries. Those aiming to maximize veterinarian pay in Spokane, WA, should consider seeking opportunities for board certification, engaging in community outreach to establish a personal brand, or exploring ownership stakes in independent practices to leverage potential financial benefits and control over their professional paths.
More salary data for Spokane, 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 $151,820 for veterinariansin the Spokane 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