Veterinarians Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $134,430 +7.1% vs national
Median hourly $64.63
10th percentile $78,070
90th percentile —
Employed locally 2,070
National median $125,510

Compare Veterinarians salary & buying power

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Veterinarians
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,070
    25th
    $104,910
    50th (median)
    $134,430
    75th
    $199,030

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinarians salary vs area income 151% Median Veterinarians salary is 51% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Veterinarians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $187,990
    Napa, CA $179,080
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $175,050
    Salinas, CA $168,330
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $165,060
    Anchorage, AK $164,220

    Nearby metros — Veterinarians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $161,370
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $158,420
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $135,650
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $133,340
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $131,750
    Jacksonville, FL $131,130

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $96,480
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,570
    Physicians, All Other $215,680
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $72,920
    Pharmacists $137,610
    Physical Therapists $104,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Veterinarians make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Veterinarians in Chicago, IL-IN is $64.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $139.09 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Veterinarians salaries?

    The median Veterinarians salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 7.1% above the national median of $125,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Veterinarians in Chicago?

    Entry-level Veterinarians (10th percentile) earn around $78,070 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,910.