Veterinarian Salary in Junction City, KS: $117,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Junction City, KS earns a median $117,727/year (≈ $56.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Junction City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $129,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, Kansas, the projection for veterinarian salaries in 2026 shows a median annual compensation of $117,727. This figure is considered below the national median of $137,334, indicating a 14.28% difference. Local salary estimates range widely, from $68,281 at the lower end to $182,476 at the higher end, reflecting variations based on experience, specialization, and practice type. These estimates are informed by BLS state-level insights and regional cost adjustments, demonstrating that although the financial rewards in Junction City may not match national averages, the market remains stable and offers opportunities, especially for those with specialty board certifications such as surgery or internal medicine.
About the Junction City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,281 | $32.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,233 | $47.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,727 | $56.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,695 | $71.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,476 | $87.73 |
Median Salary Position
14.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Junction City
In Junction City, KS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,195 (2026 est.). At $117,727, the local median is 14.28% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Junction City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Junction City Veterinarian Pay Compares
Junction City median: $117,727/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Junction City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $124,843 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -14.28% less |
Veterinarians in Junction City, KS earn a median of $117,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $124,843.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Junction City 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.
Junction City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $117,727 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,513 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,831
2025 BLS Actual
$111,526
2026 Current Est.
$117,727
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,518 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,096 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,272 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Junction City metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $81,831 (2019) to $111,526 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,272 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,441 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Junction City 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) | $68,281 – $98,233 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,233 – $117,727 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,727 – $148,695 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,695 – $182,476 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Junction City
In terms of the local job market, Junction City is home to only six employed veterinarians, underscoring a tight labor pool. The area's cost-of-living index of 90.9 suggests that residents can stretch their earnings further compared to more expensive regions, enhancing purchasing power despite lower salary figures. Notably, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl dominate the market, often offering competitive salaries and benefits, while independent practices and those in mixed or large animal sectors may have varying compensation structures. The difference in pay can be attributed to several factors, including specialty board certification, practice ownership, and production-based compensation models. For those looking to maximize their income in Junction City, pursuing additional certifications or considering roles in corporate settings could prove advantageous, especially as sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 are available in high-demand areas for new graduates.
More salary data for Junction City, 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 $111,526 for veterinariansin the Junction City 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 Junction City 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