Veterinarian Salary in Hays, KS: $116,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Hays, KS earns a median $116,881/year (≈ $56.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Hays's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $128,582 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hays, Kansas, the projected veterinarian salary in 2026 stands at $116,881, reflecting local compensation trends that differ from national averages. The salary range for veterinarians in the area extends from $75,161 at the 10th percentile to as high as $181,166 for the top 90th percentile earners. These figures represent estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances, indicating that veterinarians within Hays earn approximately 14.89% less than the national median of $137,334. This salary structure is shaped by factors such as the production-based compensation model, where earnings correlate with the revenue that a veterinarian generates through services provided. Given Hays's unique market dynamics, veterinarians must evaluate their earning potential against these broader trends to make informed career decisions.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,161 | $36.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,486 | $46.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,881 | $56.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,561 | $70.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,166 | $87.10 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hays
In Hays, KS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,005 (2026 est.). At $116,881, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hays: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hays Veterinarian Pay Compares
Hays median: $116,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hays Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $124,873 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -14.89% less |
Veterinarians in Hays, KS earn a median of $116,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $124,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hays has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hays, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $116,881 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,582 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,244
2025 BLS Actual
$110,725
2026 Current Est.
$116,881
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,244 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,469 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,423 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,882 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,363 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,725 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,380 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hays metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $81,244 (2019) to $110,725 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,380 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,136 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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) | $75,161 – $96,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,486 – $116,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,881 – $146,561 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,561 – $181,166 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Hays
The job market for veterinarians in Hays is characterized by a small but pivotal presence, with only five employed in the area. The cost of living index reflects a reasonable cost at 90.9, which enhances take-home pay when compared to national averages. Independent small animal clinics dominate the local veterinary landscape, often providing higher pay than corporate chains, which control about 25% of the market through names like VCA and BluePearl. The diversity of practices plays a significant role in salary variations, where specialty board certification in surgery or internal medicine can dramatically increase earnings over general practice roles. Strategies for maximizing pay may involve seeking positions that offer production incentives, signing bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000, or evaluating the potential for ownership equity in independent practices versus corporate employment pathways in Hays, KS.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
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 $110,725 for veterinariansin the Hays 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 Hays 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