Veterinarian Salary in Bothell, WA: $161,175 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Bothell, WA earns a median $161,175/year (≈ $77.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Bothell's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $150,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bothell, Washington, veterinarians can expect a median annual salary of $161,175, significantly higher than the national median of $137,334. The local salary range varies widely, from $100,013 at the 10th percentile to $249,821 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities available in the region. Data for these figures comes from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost factors. Understanding this salary structure is crucial, especially as Bothell experiences the impacts of corporate consolidation in the veterinary field, which has shifted pay dynamics toward more standardized corporate scales compared to traditional independent practice compensation.
About the Bothell Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,013 | $48.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,538 | $62.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,175 | $77.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,947 | $95.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $249,821 | $120.11 |
Median Salary Position
17.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bothell
In Bothell, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $149,808 (2026 est.). At $161,175, the local median is 17.36% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bothell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bothell Veterinarian Pay Compares
Bothell median: $161,175/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bothell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,194 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +17.36% more |
Veterinarians in Bothell, WA earn a median of $161,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.36% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.60% below the Washington state average of $167,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bothell has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bothell, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,175 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,070 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,032
2025 BLS Actual
$152,686
2026 Current Est.
$161,175
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Bothell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,032 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,795 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,186 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,686 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,175 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bothell metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $112,032 (2019) to $152,686 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,105 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bothell 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) | $100,013 – $130,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,538 – $161,175 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,175 – $198,947 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,947 – $249,821 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Bothell
With 13 veterinarians currently employed in the Bothell area, the job market is moderately competitive. The cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, indicating that while veterinarians earn substantial salaries, the cost of living slightly exceeds the national average, affecting purchasing power. Specialty practices, especially those offering services like surgery or internal medicine, tend to offer the highest remuneration, reflecting the significant demand for board-certified specialists. Factors such as production-based compensation models and ownership potential can widen the disparity between high and low salaries, with some clinics also offering enticing sign-on bonuses for new graduates in underserved areas. To maximize their earnings, aspiring veterinarians should consider pursuing specialty certifications and explore opportunities in corporate environments, where structured pathways for advancement may lead to higher pay in Bothell, WA.
More salary data for Bothell, WA:
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 $152,686 for veterinariansin the Bothell 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 Bothell 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