Veterinarian Salary in Kirkwood, MO: $107,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Kirkwood, MO earns a median $107,538/year (≈ $51.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Kirkwood's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $120,020 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Kirkwood, Missouri, can expect a projected median annual salary of $107,538 in 2026, which reflects a significant regional variance when compared to the national figure of $137,334. This salary is part of a broader range where entry-level salaries (P10) start at approximately $62,941 and experienced veterinarians can earn up to $166,685 (P90). These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data that account for regional price adjustments, illuminate the financial dynamics at play in Kirkwood's veterinary market. Such compensation figures are influenced by production-based models that tie earnings to revenue generated, a model becoming increasingly common in veterinary practices today.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,941 | $30.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,298 | $40.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,538 | $51.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,218 | $65.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,685 | $80.14 |
Median Salary Position
21.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkwood
In Kirkwood, MO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,744 (2026 est.). At $107,538, the local median is 21.7% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkwood Veterinarian Pay Compares
Kirkwood median: $107,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $108,405 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -21.70% less |
Veterinarians in Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $107,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.70% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $108,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkwood has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkwood, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $107,538 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,020 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,749
2025 BLS Actual
$101,874
2026 Current Est.
$107,538
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,749 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,717 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,594 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,261 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,874 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,517 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkwood metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $74,749 (2019) to $101,874 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,517 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,768 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkwood 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) | $62,941 – $84,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,298 – $107,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,538 – $136,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,218 – $166,685 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Kirkwood
Amidst a local workforce of five veterinarians, Kirkwood presents an interesting job market for aspiring veterinary professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, salaries in this area afford a relatively higher purchasing power compared to many urban centers. In Kirkwood, corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl tend to offer higher compensation packages, often surpassing independent practices, mainly due to their structured pay scales and resources for recruitment. The diversity of practice types also creates disparities in pay; specialists with board certifications can significantly elevate earnings compared to generalists. Factors such as production incentives, ownership potential, and sign-on bonuses, which can reach up to $150,000 for in-demand positions, play a substantial role in shaping veterinarian pay in Kirkwood, MO. Those looking to maximize earnings should consider aligning with specialty fields, exploring opportunities in corporate settings, and seeking positions that offer paths to ownership or substantial revenue shares.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
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 $101,874 for veterinariansin the Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood 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