Veterinarian Salary in Tempe, AZ: $135,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Tempe, AZ earns a median $135,845/year (≈ $65.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Tempe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $137,914 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarian salary in Tempe is projected to reach a median of $135,845, slightly below the national median of $137,334. This compensation reflects a production-based compensation model, where earnings often correlate with the revenue generated within the practice. The salary range for veterinarians spans from $80,265 at the 10th percentile to $210,561 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide disparity based on experience, specialization, and the type of practice. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, shedding light on the local marketplace. Given the competitive nature of the veterinary field, various factors influence compensation, shaping an evolving job market in Tempe that is increasingly influenced by corporate consolidation trends.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,265 | $38.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,369 | $51.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,845 | $65.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,817 | $82.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,561 | $101.23 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tempe
In Tempe, AZ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,296 (2026 est.). At $135,845, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tempe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tempe Veterinarian Pay Compares
Tempe median: $135,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tempe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $135,304 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.08% less |
Veterinarians in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $135,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $135,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tempe has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tempe, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,914 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,425
2025 BLS Actual
$128,690
2026 Current Est.
$135,845
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,425 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,282 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,809 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,398 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tempe metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,425 (2019) to $128,690 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,398 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,973 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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) | $80,265 – $107,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,369 – $135,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,845 – $171,817 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,817 – $210,561 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Tempe
Examining the local job market reveals that Tempe currently employs 43 veterinarians, a relatively modest number compared to larger metropolitan areas. The cost-of-living index in Tempe stands at 98.5, thus suggesting a slightly lower-than-average living expense which can improve the effective take-home pay for those working in the area. Among the highest-paying employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which account for approximately 25% of the market, often offer lucrative salaries and sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in underserved areas. The disparity in pay for veterinarians in Tempe can be attributed to factors such as specialty board certification, where board-certified specialists earn significantly more than general practitioners. To maximize pay, veterinarians may consider pursuing additional certifications, engaging in partnerships in private practice, or exploring employment with corporate entities that promise structured pay scales and resources.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
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 $128,690 for veterinariansin the Tempe 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 Tempe 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