Veterinarian Salary in Burlington, VT: $139,149 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Burlington, VT earns a median $139,149/year (≈ $66.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $137,841 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Burlington, Vermont, can expect a median annual salary of $139,149 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $137,334. This figure reflects a thriving market, with salaries ranging from $98,150 at the 10th percentile to $228,749 at the 90th percentile, providing an expansive scope for earnings based on experience and specialization. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, the local veterinary landscape is vibrant, shaped significantly by a production-based compensation model where a veterinarian's income may correlate directly with the revenue they generate. This dynamic highlights Burlington's active job market, ideal for both experienced professionals and emerging graduates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,150 | $47.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,536 | $50.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,149 | $66.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,481 | $93.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,749 | $109.97 |
Median Salary Position
1.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,599 (2026 est.). At $139,149, the local median is 1.32% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Veterinarian Pay Compares
Burlington median: $139,149/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $142,134 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.32% more |
Veterinarians in Burlington, VT earn a median of $139,149 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.32% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.10% below the Vermont state average of $142,134.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,149 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,841 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,110
2025 BLS Actual
$131,820
2026 Current Est.
$139,149
2019–2027 Growth
+70.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,675 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,149 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,886 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 53.1% from $86,110 (2019) to $131,820 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,776 (70.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $98,150 – $104,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,536 – $139,149 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,149 – $193,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,481 – $228,749 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Burlington
In Burlington, approximately 130 veterinarians are currently employed, underscoring a diverse local job market that can offer numerous opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 100.949, the financial landscape means that take-home pay can be influenced by local expenses, making competitive compensation vital for maintaining quality of life. Small animal companion clinics often offer the most attractive salaries, particularly those affiliated with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which now account for about 25% of the market. The variance in pay can stem from factors such as specialty credentials, like board certification in surgery or internal medicine, and production-based incentives. New graduates fortunate enough to secure positions in high-demand specialties may even see sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in Burlington, making strategic choices regarding practice type and specialty crucial for maximizing veterinarian pay in Burlington, VT.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 $131,820 for veterinariansin the Burlington 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, 5-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