Veterinarian Salary

Veterinarian Salary in Maryland Heights, MO: $106,495 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Maryland Heights, MO earns a median $106,495/year (≈ $51.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Maryland Heights's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $118,856 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Missouri state average.

$106,495
Median Annual Salary
$51.20/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$61,767
Entry Level (P10)
$165,067
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarian Salary in Maryland Heights, MO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Maryland Heights, MO veterinarian salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Maryland Heights, Missouri, the projected veterinarian salary for 2026 is expected to reach $106,495, a figure that reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price factors. The salary range spans from a lower tenth percentile of $61,767 to an upper percentile reaching $165,067. These compensation figures indicate that while Maryland Heights veterinarians earn significantly less than the national median of $137,334, the compensation landscape here is influenced by the production-based compensation model. This model often sees veterinarians receiving pay correlated with the revenue they generate, shaping the overall salary picture in this bustling suburban area. As the local job market includes only five practicing veterinarians, opportunities for employment remain competitive yet valuable in understanding salary dynamics in Maryland Heights.

About the Maryland Heights Market

Salary estimated from Missouri average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$61,767$29.69
Lower Range (P25)$82,193$39.51
Median (P50)(typical)$106,495$51.20
Upper Range (P75)$131,433$63.19
Top Earners (P90)$165,067$79.36

Median Salary Position

$61,767$165,067
City Median: $106,495
National: $137,334
P10–P90 Range

22.46% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Maryland Heights

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinarians in Maryland Heights. The median salary is $106,495, compared to the national median of $137,334.$55.6K$85.0K$114.5K$143.9K$173.3K$61.8K10th Pctl$82.2K25th Pctl$106.5KMedian$131.4K75th Pctl$165.1K90th PctlUS Median$137.3K

In Maryland Heights, MO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,300 (2026 est.). At $106,495, the local median is 22.46% below the national median of $137,334.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinarian pay in the Maryland Heights metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,048
per week
$8,874
per month
$106,489
per year

At 40 hours/week in Maryland Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Maryland Heights Veterinarian Pay Compares

Maryland Heights median: $106,495/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMaryland Heights Pays
Missouri Average$108,447-1.80% less
National Average$137,334-22.46% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinarian median salary in Maryland Heights ($106,495) with Missouri average ($108,447) and the US national median ($137,334).Maryland Heights$106,495Missouri Avg$108,447-1.80%US National$137,334-22.46%

Veterinarians in Maryland Heights, MO earn a median of $106,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.46% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.80% below the Missouri state average of $108,447.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$106,495
Nominal Salary
89.6
CoL Index
$118,856
Adjusted Salary

Maryland Heights 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.

The nominal salary is $106,495. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 89.6, the purchasing-power equivalent is $118,856, a gain of $12,361.$90.5K$107.4K$124.2K$141.1K$157.9K$106,495NominalSalary$118,856CoL Adjusted(CoL: 89.6) 11.61%US Median $137.3K

Maryland Heights, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $106,495 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $118,856 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$74,024

2025 BLS Actual

$100,886

2026 Current Est.

$106,495

2019–2027 Growth

+51.9%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Maryland Heights (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinarians in Maryland Heights. Baseline $74,024 in 2025, projected to $112,416 by 2027.$66.3K$79.8K$93.2K$106.7K$120.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$74.0K$77.0K$77.8K$80.1K$92.4K$93.3K$100.9K$106.5K$112.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$74,024Actual
2020$76,963Actual
2021$77,832Actual
2022$80,073Actual
2023$92,356Actual
2024$93,280Actual
2025$100,886Actual
2026(current)$106,495Estimated
2027$112,416Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland Heights metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $74,024 (2019) to $100,886 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,392 (51.86%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland Heights metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$61,767$82,193
3-5 years (Mid Career)$82,193$106,495
5+ years (Experienced)$106,495$131,433
10+ years (Top Earner)$131,433$165,067

DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Veterinarian Job Market in Maryland Heights

The current job market in Maryland Heights not only reflects the presence of only five veterinarians but also indicates the area's cost-of-living index of 89.6, which is below the national average of 100. This lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power for veterinarians, allowing them to stretch their salaries further compared to many other regions. Among employers, corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl, comprising about 25% of the market, tend to offer higher salaries than independent practices. The pay disparity here can also stem from various factors, including board certification in specialties such as surgery and internal medicine, production-based earnings, and practice ownership stakes. For veterinarians aiming to maximize their earnings in Maryland Heights, pursuing specialty certification and considering corporate employment may be key strategies, particularly given current market trends favoring corporate consolidation in the veterinary field.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinarians make in Maryland Heights, MO in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinarian salary in Maryland Heights is $106,495/year ($51.20/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Salaries range from $61,767 at entry level (10th percentile) to $165,067 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Maryland Heights at 22.5% below the national median. Full-time veterinarians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Maryland Heights, MO a good place to work as a veterinarian?

Maryland Heights veterinarian salaries are 22.5% below the national average and 1.8% below the Missouri state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 veterinarians. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinarians make $100K in Maryland Heights?

Yes — the median veterinarian salary in Maryland Heights is already $106,495, meaning more than half of veterinarians here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $165,067/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Maryland Heights?

After adjusting for Maryland Heights's cost-of-living index of 89.6 (where 100 equals the national average), the $106,495 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $118,856 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 11.6% further in Maryland Heights compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinarians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Maryland Heights?

Veterinarians in Maryland Heights earn a median hourly rate of $51.20, which translates to approximately $106,495/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $29.69 for entry-level positions to $79.36 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinarians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Missouri

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

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 $100,886 for veterinariansin the Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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