Veterinarian Salary in Racine, WI: $121,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Racine, WI earns a median $121,500/year (≈ $58.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $126,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average veterinarian salary in Racine, WI, is projected to be $121,500, reflecting a competitive position within the broader U.S. market. Compared to the national median salary of $137,334, the city demonstrates a variance of approximately 11.53%, indicating the influence of the local job market and practice types on compensation. Salaries for veterinarians in Racine will range from $83,994 at the bottom tenth percentile to as high as $166,943 for the top performers, based on official data from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. The distinction between corporate and independent practices plays a significant role in these salary figures, as corporate positions tend to offer structured pay scales and benefits that can contrast with the potentially variable earnings often found in independent practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,994 | $40.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,280 | $49.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,500 | $58.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,023 | $66.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,943 | $80.27 |
Median Salary Position
11.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,949 (2026 est.). At $121,500, the local median is 11.53% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Veterinarian Pay Compares
Racine median: $121,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $113,977 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -11.53% less |
Veterinarians in Racine, WI earn a median of $121,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.53% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $113,977.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $121,500 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $126,614 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,090
2025 BLS Actual
$115,100
2026 Current Est.
$121,500
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,255 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 12.7% from $102,090 (2019) to $115,100 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,255 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,165 (25.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $83,994 – $103,280 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,280 – $121,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,500 – $139,023 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,023 – $166,943 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Racine
With around 30 veterinarians currently employed in Racine, the local job market for this profession remains stable. The city's cost-of-living index sits at 95.961, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of the veterinarian pay in Racine, WI. Among veterinary employers, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl account for about 25% of the market, often offering more competitive salaries and benefits than smaller independent clinics. However, mixed practices and specialized roles can command higher pay, especially for veterinarians with board certification in areas like surgery or internal medicine. Elements such as production-based compensation models and sign-on bonuses can also influence earnings, particularly in regions facing a shortage of veterinarians. To maximize their pay in Racine, veterinarians should consider pursuing specialties, exploring opportunities in high-demand corporate settings, and actively negotiating employment contracts that reflect their value.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
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 $115,100 for veterinariansin the Racine 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