Veterinarian Salary in Cheshire, CT: $128,570 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cheshire, CT earns a median $128,570/year (≈ $61.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cheshire's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $119,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For veterinarians in Cheshire, CT, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $128,570, positioning it slightly below the national median of $137,334. The local salary distribution varies significantly, ranging from $77,762 at the low end (P10) to $199,284 for top earners (P90). This local data, derived from BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost of living considerations, demonstrates a competitive market driven by factors like specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery and internal medicine. As Cheshire continues to adapt to trends like corporate consolidation in veterinary practices, those with advanced certifications can expect higher compensation, reflecting the demand for specialized skills in a region that currently employs just four veterinarians.
About the Cheshire Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,762 | $37.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,639 | $49.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,570 | $61.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,886 | $77.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,284 | $95.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cheshire
In Cheshire, CT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,522 (2026 est.). At $128,570, the local median is 6.38% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cheshire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cheshire Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cheshire median: $128,570/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cheshire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $134,628 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.38% less |
Veterinarians in Cheshire, CT earn a median of $128,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.50% below the Connecticut state average of $134,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cheshire has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cheshire, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,570 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,157 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,368
2025 BLS Actual
$121,798
2026 Current Est.
$128,570
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cheshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,368 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,917 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,965 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,671 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,798 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,570 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,718 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cheshire metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $89,368 (2019) to $121,798 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,718 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,350 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cheshire 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) | $77,762 – $102,639 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,639 – $128,570 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,570 – $161,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,886 – $199,284 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cheshire
Examining the local job market, the cost of living index in Cheshire stands at 107.9, indicating that salaries must accommodate higher living expenses compared to the national average. Given that the market consists predominantly of small animal practices—approximately 25% under corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl—competition among employers can influence veterinarian pay in Cheshire, CT. Independent practices and specialized referral hospitals often offer better compensation, especially for veterinarians with board certifications, which can lead to pay discrepancies of up to two to three times that of general practitioners. Additionally, the spread between lower and higher salaries reflects factors such as production-based compensation models and potential signing bonuses for new graduates entering shortages in certain specialties. For those currently evaluating their options, aligning with corporate entities while building expertise in a specialty field may strategically enhance earning potential in Cheshire’s evolving veterinary landscape.
More salary data for Cheshire, CT:
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 $121,798 for veterinariansin the Cheshire 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 Cheshire 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