Veterinarian Salary in Lincoln, NE: $110,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lincoln, NE earns a median $110,131/year (≈ $52.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $120,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian salary in Lincoln, NE is projected to reach a median annual pay of $110,131, reflecting local market dynamics influenced heavily by the division between corporate and independent practices. The salary range for veterinarians in the area spans from $82,822 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $170,501 (P90) for those at the top of their earning potential. This data has been derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys conducted in 2025 and illustrates how the local salary benchmarks differ from the national average. The veterinary profession here is characterized by a robust job market with implications for future growth and opportunities, particularly as Lincoln continues to evolve into a hub for veterinary services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,822 | $39.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,046 | $43.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,131 | $52.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,395 | $67.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,501 | $81.98 |
Median Salary Position
19.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,679 (2026 est.). At $110,131, the local median is 19.81% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $110,131/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $125,720 | -12.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -19.81% less |
Veterinarians in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $110,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.81% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 12.40% below the Nebraska state average of $125,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $110,131 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,255 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,370
2025 BLS Actual
$104,330
2026 Current Est.
$110,131
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,254 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.6% from $76,370 (2019) to $104,330 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,254 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,884 (52.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $82,822 – $91,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,046 – $110,131 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,131 – $140,395 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,395 – $170,501 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lincoln
With 130 veterinarians currently employed in Lincoln, the job market is vibrant, particularly given the cost of living index at 91.581, which indicates a more affordable living situation compared to the national average. This discrepancy enhances the purchasing power of local veterinarians, making the profession more attractive. Among local employers, corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl, which make up about 25% of the market, often lead in compensation packages compared to independent clinics. Variability in pay is created by factors such as specialty board certifications in surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation models, and the difference in financial structures between corporate and independent practices. Veterinarians looking to maximize their pay may consider pursuing specialties or negotiating sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas, making Lincoln an attractive city for both new graduates and experienced professionals alike.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Lincoln?
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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 $104,330 for veterinariansin the Lincoln 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, 7-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