Veterinarian Salary in Wausau, WI: $107,186 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Wausau, WI earns a median $107,186/year (≈ $51.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $115,688 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Wausau, Wisconsin see a median annual salary of $107,186 in 2026, reflecting the growing demand and nuanced compensation structures within the field. The salary range for veterinarians in the area spans from $86,338 at the 10th percentile to $169,519 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market influenced by factors such as experience, specialty, and practice type. These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and demonstrate a noticeable divergence from the national median salary of $137,334, presenting a 21.95% lower average within Wausau. Given the increasing number of veterinarians entering the workforce and the projected 5.56% annual growth rate, the job market remains competitive, capturing both established professionals and new graduates eager to capitalize on opportunities in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,338 | $41.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,838 | $46.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,186 | $51.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,566 | $66.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,519 | $81.50 |
Median Salary Position
21.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,181 (2026 est.). At $107,186, the local median is 21.95% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Veterinarian Pay Compares
Wausau median: $107,186/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $113,906 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -21.95% less |
Veterinarians in Wausau, WI earn a median of $107,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.95% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.90% below the Wisconsin state average of $113,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $107,186 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,688 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,260
2025 BLS Actual
$101,540
2026 Current Est.
$107,186
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,592 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,955 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,186 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 42.5% from $71,260 (2019) to $101,540 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,885 (58.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $86,338 – $95,838 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,838 – $107,186 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,186 – $137,566 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,566 – $169,519 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Wausau
The local job market houses approximately 40 veterinarians, indicating stable employment opportunities in Wausau, though salaries reflect regional market conditions. With a cost-of-living index at 92.651, veterinarians enjoy a better purchasing power compared to many parts of the country, allowing them to maintain a comfortable lifestyle despite the lower average salary. Practices in Wausau that often provide higher compensation include corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which capture nearly 25% of the market, contrasting with independent clinics that may offer less. Factors influencing the variance in veterinarian pay in this market include specialty board certification—in fields like surgery or internal medicine, the potential for production-based compensation, and the ownership stakes in practices. New grads can maximize their compensation by considering roles in high-demand specialties, negotiating sign-on bonuses, and evaluating opportunities within corporate versus independent practice structures, ensuring they are positioned for optimal financial rewards as they advance in their careers.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $101,540 for veterinariansin the Wausau 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, 5-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