Veterinarian Salary in Lake Oswego, OR: $132,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lake Oswego, OR earns a median $132,078/year (≈ $63.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lake Oswego's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $128,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lake Oswego, Oregon, the projected veterinarian salary in 2026 reaches a median of $132,078, reflecting a slight decline compared to the national average of $137,334. This figure is drawn from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, with salaries ranging from $76,605 at the 10th percentile to $204,721 at the 90th percentile. The corporate versus independent practice divide significantly impacts pay structures. While corporate practices, which account for around 25% of the market, generally offer standardized salaried positions, independent practices may provide more opportunities for profit-sharing and potential equity, making them competitive despite the corporate trend.
About the Lake Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,605 | $36.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,397 | $48.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,078 | $63.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,229 | $79.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,721 | $98.42 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Oswego
In Lake Oswego, OR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,116 (2026 est.). At $132,078, the local median is 3.83% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Oswego Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lake Oswego median: $132,078/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $134,911 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -3.83% less |
Veterinarians in Lake Oswego, OR earn a median of $132,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.10% below the Oregon state average of $134,911.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Oswego has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Oswego, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,078 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,731 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,807
2025 BLS Actual
$125,121
2026 Current Est.
$132,078
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lake Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,807 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,452 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,529 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,308 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,581 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,421 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Oswego metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,807 (2019) to $125,121 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,614 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Oswego 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) | $76,605 – $101,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,397 – $132,078 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,078 – $165,229 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,229 – $204,721 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lake Oswego
The local job market in Lake Oswego supports a modest number of veterinarians, with eight practitioners employed in the area. The cost-of-living index of 102.6 suggests that while salaries may seem adequate, the higher expenses could affect overall purchasing power. Notably, specialty referral hospitals and larger animal practices tend to offer the highest compensation packages. Factors driving income variability include production-based compensation models, the presence of specialty board-certified veterinarians, and the potential for sign-on bonuses, which may reach up to $150,000 in high-demand areas. To maximize their earnings in Lake Oswego, veterinarians should consider pursuing advanced certifications and remaining adaptable to the evolving corporate landscape, all while keeping in mind the effects of regional economic conditions on their overall financial well-being.
More salary data for Lake Oswego, OR:
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 $125,121 for veterinariansin the Lake Oswego 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 Lake Oswego 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