Veterinarian Salary in Winchester, VA: $125,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Winchester, VA earns a median $125,437/year (≈ $60.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Winchester's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $130,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winchester, Virginia, the veterinarian salary is projected to reach a median of $125,437 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market for veterinary professionals. With a salary range spanning from $79,159 at the 10th percentile to as much as $218,910 at the 90th percentile, this data highlights the disparity in earnings based on specialization and experience. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys indicate that specialized veterinarians—particularly those holding board certifications in surgery or internal medicine—tend to earn significantly more, often drawing on the higher end of the salary spectrum. This trend indicates a robust market demand for skilled specialists, further intensified by corporate consolidations within the veterinary sector impacting both compensation structures and career advancement opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,159 | $38.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,851 | $46.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,437 | $60.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,239 | $82.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,910 | $105.24 |
Median Salary Position
8.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winchester
In Winchester, VA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,751 (2026 est.). At $125,437, the local median is 8.66% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winchester Veterinarian Pay Compares
Winchester median: $125,437/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $126,704 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -8.66% less |
Veterinarians in Winchester, VA earn a median of $125,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.66% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the Virginia state average of $126,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winchester has a cost of living 3.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winchester, VA has a cost-of-living index of 96.45 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $125,437 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,054 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,370
2025 BLS Actual
$118,830
2026 Current Est.
$125,437
2019–2027 Growth
+66.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Winchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winchester metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 49.7% from $79,370 (2019) to $118,830 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $53,041 (66.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winchester 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) | $79,159 – $96,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,851 – $125,437 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,437 – $171,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,239 – $218,910 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Winchester
Analyzing the local job market reveals a community of approximately 40 veterinarians currently practicing in the Winchester area. While the cost of living index stands at 96.45, suggesting a slightly lower-than-average expense for residents, this context is crucial for understanding take-home pay and purchasing power. Among various employers, corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl—responsible for around 25% of the local market—typically offer some of the highest salaries, particularly for veterinarians willing to navigate a production-based compensation model. Conversely, independent practices may provide lower salaries but often offer a more equitable work environment. For those in Winchester looking to maximize their income, pursuing specialty board certifications and considering roles in corporate practices can lead to significant financial benefits amidst the evolving landscape of veterinarian pay in Winchester, VA.
More salary data for Winchester, 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 $118,830 for veterinariansin the Winchester 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