Veterinarian Salary in Peoria, IL: $143,414 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Peoria, IL earns a median $143,414/year (≈ $68.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $157,199 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Peoria, Illinois, are positioned well above the national average when it comes to compensation, with a projected median annual salary of $143,414 for 2026. The salary range shows considerable variability, from $65,426 at the 10th percentile to $284,695 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects the increasing trend of corporate practices often paying more than independent clinics due to operational efficiencies and scale. With the ongoing consolidation in the veterinary industry, a significant proportion of veterinarians work in corporate settings, which can influence average pay significantly in contrast to those in sole proprietorships or small clinics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,426 | $31.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,262 | $52.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,414 | $68.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,215 | $101.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $284,695 | $136.87 |
Median Salary Position
4.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $219,269 (2026 est.). At $143,414, the local median is 4.43% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Veterinarian Pay Compares
Peoria median: $143,414/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $140,053 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +4.43% more |
Veterinarians in Peoria, IL earn a median of $143,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.43% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.40% above the Illinois state average of $140,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $143,414 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,199 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,686
2025 BLS Actual
$135,860
2026 Current Est.
$143,414
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,686 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,414 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $99,686 (2019) to $135,860 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,702 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $65,426 – $108,262 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,262 – $143,414 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,414 – $211,215 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,215 – $284,695 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Peoria
Focusing on the local job market, Peoria currently employs around 70 veterinarians, which provides a stable environment for both new graduates and experienced practitioners. The cost of living index for Peoria is 91.231, notably lower than the national average, meaning veterinarians can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power. Among the various employment opportunities available, corporate chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, which capture nearly 25% of the market, tend to offer higher than average salaries. Factors driving salary disparities include specialty certifications, production-based compensation models, and equity partnerships. For improving veterinarian pay in Peoria, pursuing board certifications through AVMA-accredited programs, staying agile within the evolving corporate landscape, and networking within local specialty referral hospitals can enhance earning potential substantially.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 $135,860 for veterinariansin the Peoria 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