Veterinarian Salary in Ashburn, VA: $124,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Ashburn, VA earns a median $124,006/year (≈ $59.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Ashburn's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $120,161 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Ashburn, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $124,006 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $137,334, reflecting a locality factor that suggests a specialized market. The salary range for this profession in Ashburn is wide, spanning from $73,164 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $192,209 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price levels, illustrate the earning potential for those who hold specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care. This high level of certification often correlates with significantly higher compensation compared to general practice veterinarians, highlighting the value of specialization in a competitive job market like Ashburn.
About the Ashburn Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,164 | $35.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,006 | $59.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,727 | $76.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,209 | $92.41 |
Median Salary Position
9.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashburn
In Ashburn, VA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,045 (2026 est.). At $124,006, the local median is 9.7% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashburn Veterinarian Pay Compares
Ashburn median: $124,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $126,666 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -9.70% less |
Veterinarians in Ashburn, VA earn a median of $124,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.70% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.10% below the Virginia state average of $126,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashburn has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashburn, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,006 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,161 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,196
2025 BLS Actual
$117,474
2026 Current Est.
$124,006
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Ashburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,196 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,618 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashburn metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $86,196 (2019) to $117,474 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,704 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashburn 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) | $73,164 – $98,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,190 – $124,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,006 – $158,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,727 – $192,209 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Ashburn
In this locality, the job market is relatively small, with only 12 veterinarians currently employed in the area. The cost of living index of 103.2 indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the living expenses are also slightly higher than average, impacting overall purchasing power. Employers such as corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate the market, often providing higher pay than independent practices but may come with differing structures of compensation based on production models. The wage disparity can also arise due to factors such as specialty training, sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas, and practice ownership. For those looking to maximize veterinarian pay in Ashburn, pursuing specialty certification and considering employment with corporate practices could be strategic moves in an evolving market.
More salary data for Ashburn, VA:
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 $117,474 for veterinariansin the Ashburn 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 Ashburn 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