Veterinarian Salary in Papillion, NE: $116,888 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Papillion, NE earns a median $116,888/year (≈ $56.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Papillion's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $127,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Papillion, Nebraska can anticipate a median annual salary of $116,888, a figure that reflects the ongoing corporate consolidation trend impacting pay structures in the veterinary field. The salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at $74,003 and experienced practitioners earning up to $181,176. Estimates derived from state-level data and adjustments for regional price parity provide a clearer picture of earnings potential in this locale. In contrast to the national median salary of $137,334, the compensation for veterinarians in Papillion is approximately 14.89% lower, indicative of the broader economic dynamics at play and the limited demand, with only five veterinarians currently employed locally.
About the Papillion Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,003 | $35.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,554 | $45.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,888 | $56.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,600 | $70.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,176 | $87.11 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Papillion
In Papillion, NE, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,173 (2026 est.). At $116,888, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Papillion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Papillion Veterinarian Pay Compares
Papillion median: $116,888/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Papillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $125,686 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -14.89% less |
Veterinarians in Papillion, NE earn a median of $116,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $125,686.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Papillion has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Papillion, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $116,888 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,746 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,248
2025 BLS Actual
$110,731
2026 Current Est.
$116,888
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Papillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,248 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,427 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,887 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,921 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,731 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,888 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Papillion metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $81,248 (2019) to $110,731 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,139 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Papillion 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) | $74,003 – $95,554 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,554 – $116,888 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,888 – $145,600 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,600 – $181,176 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Papillion
Examining the local job market reveals that while the average veterinarian salary in Papillion may be lower than the national standard, the cost of living is also below the average, indicated by a cost of living index of 91.5. This suggests that take-home pay may stretch further for residents. Among local employers, corporate chains, which account for about 25% of the job market, tend to offer more attractive compensation packages compared to independent practices. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include specialty board certifications, the production-based compensation model in corporate environments, and additional incentives such as sign-on bonuses for new graduates. For veterinarians in Papillion looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialty certifications or considering corporate roles may offer substantial financial benefits, significantly elevating their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Papillion, NE:
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 $110,731 for veterinariansin the Papillion 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 Papillion 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