Veterinarian Salary in Parkersburg, WV: $115,170 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Parkersburg, WV earns a median $115,170/year (≈ $55.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Parkersburg's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $133,145 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, veterinarians in Parkersburg, West Virginia, can expect a median salary of $115,170, which reflects a notable gap of 16.14% compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this position spans from $72,058 at the 10th percentile to as much as $178,514 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and considerations for regional cost adjustments. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to the market structure; while corporate practices may provide more standardized salaries, independent clinics and specialty hospitals can offer varied compensation based on case loads and the demand for specialized veterinary services.
About the Parkersburg Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,058 | $34.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,075 | $45.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,170 | $55.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,083 | $70.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,514 | $85.82 |
Median Salary Position
16.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Parkersburg
In Parkersburg, WV, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,456 (2026 est.). At $115,170, the local median is 16.14% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Parkersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Parkersburg Veterinarian Pay Compares
Parkersburg median: $115,170/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Parkersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $118,855 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -16.14% less |
Veterinarians in Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $115,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.14% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.10% below the West Virginia state average of $118,855.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Parkersburg has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Parkersburg, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $115,170 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,145 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,054
2025 BLS Actual
$109,104
2026 Current Est.
$115,170
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Parkersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,233 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,172 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,879 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,152 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,104 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,170 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Parkersburg metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $80,054 (2019) to $109,104 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,520 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Parkersburg 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) | $72,058 – $94,075 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,075 – $115,170 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,170 – $147,083 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,083 – $178,514 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Parkersburg
In Parkersburg, the local job market supports five veterinarians, a small number relative to the demand in the area. The cost of living index sits at 86.5, indicating that the purchasing power for residents is below the national average, which can affect how far salaries stretch in day-to-day expenses. Among the available job opportunities, larger corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which make up approximately 25% of the market, generally offer competitive pay packages that can sometimes include production-based compensation and sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates. To maximize their earning potential, veterinarians in Parkersburg might focus on areas such as specialized certifications, offering surgical or internal medicine support, and considering practice ownership or partnership paths that can lead to higher income over time.
More salary data for Parkersburg, WV:
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 $109,104 for veterinariansin the Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg 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