Veterinarian Salary in Normal, IL: $135,830 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Normal, IL earns a median $135,830/year (≈ $65.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Normal's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,887 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a veterinarian in Normal, Illinois, earns a median annual salary of $135,830, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $137,334. The comprehensive salary range for veterinarians in the area spans from $78,782 at the 10th percentile to $210,537 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability influenced by factors such as specialty board certification in fields like surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care. These figures are derived from state-level data and account for local cost adjustments, reflecting the broader economic context of Normal, where opportunities for veterinarians, particularly in specialized fields, are poised to remain competitive.
About the Normal Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,782 | $37.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,015 | $49.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,830 | $65.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,844 | $83.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,537 | $101.22 |
Median Salary Position
1.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Normal
In Normal, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,755 (2026 est.). At $135,830, the local median is 1.1% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Normal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Normal Veterinarian Pay Compares
Normal median: $135,830/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Normal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,031 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.10% less |
Veterinarians in Normal, IL earn a median of $135,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.10% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $140,031.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Normal has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Normal, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,830 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,887 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,415
2025 BLS Actual
$128,676
2026 Current Est.
$135,830
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,796 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,852 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,676 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,830 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,383 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Normal metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,415 (2019) to $128,676 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,968 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Normal 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) | $78,782 – $103,015 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,015 – $135,830 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,830 – $172,844 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,844 – $210,537 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Normal
Current employment figures show eight veterinarians working in Normal, highlighting a specialized but potentially limited job landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, this suggests that take-home pay may stretch further compared to areas with higher living costs. In terms of earning potential, corporate veterinary chains, including VCA and BluePearl, typically offer more substantial compensation packages than independent practices, driven by long-term contracts and production-based incentives. Specialty practices in emergency and critical care or those offering advanced surgical services often provide the highest pay, reflecting demand for expertise. To maximize earnings in Normal's market, pursuing additional certifications or exploring partnerships in corporate environments can significantly boost financial prospects, especially given the increasing trend towards corporate consolidation in the veterinary sector.
More salary data for Normal, IL:
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 $128,676 for veterinariansin the Normal 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 Normal 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