Veterinarian Salary in Madison, WI: $121,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Madison, WI earns a median $121,616/year (≈ $58.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $125,007 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Madison, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $121,616 in 2026, which falls notably below the national average of $137,334. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $86,644 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $170,870. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the economic dynamics within the veterinary field in Madison. The differences in pay could be attributed to the structural divide between corporate practices and independent clinics, which shapes compensation models and practice resources available to veterinarians in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,644 | $41.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,059 | $51.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,616 | $58.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,943 | $73.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,870 | $82.15 |
Median Salary Position
11.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,226 (2026 est.). At $121,616, the local median is 11.45% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Veterinarian Pay Compares
Madison median: $121,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $113,979 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -11.45% less |
Veterinarians in Madison, WI earn a median of $121,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $113,979.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $121,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $125,007 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,120
2025 BLS Actual
$115,210
2026 Current Est.
$121,616
2019–2027 Growth
+66.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 49.4% from $77,120 (2019) to $115,210 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,258 (66.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $86,644 – $107,059 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,059 – $121,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,616 – $151,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,943 – $170,870 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Madison
In total, Madison employs around 420 veterinarians, indicating a healthy local job market for the profession. The cost of living index stands at 97.287, which slightly undercuts the national average and potentially enhances take-home pay for veterinarians. Employers within the city primarily consist of small animal companion clinics, large animal practices, and specialty referral hospitals, each with varying pay scales. Notably, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, collectively comprising about 25% of the market, often provide competitive salaries, benefits, and additional incentives compared to independent practices. The pay disparity can also stem from factors such as the type of practice, production-based compensation models, and specialized training, notably for those holding board certifications. For new veterinarians, maximizing earnings could involve negotiating sign-on bonuses or seeking openings in high-demand specialties or locations. Understanding these nuances can significantly contribute to successful financial planning in the veterinary profession within Madison, WI.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $115,210 for veterinariansin the Madison 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