Veterinarian Salary in Pullman, WA: $160,462 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Pullman, WA earns a median $160,462/year (≈ $77.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Pullman's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $149,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
2026 estimates project a median annual salary of $160,462 for veterinarians in Pullman, Washington, reflecting a notable 16.84% higher than the national median of $137,334. The salary range spans from $98,405 at the 10th percentile to $248,716 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a robust earning potential in this market. Local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, with a notable job market that includes both general practitioners and specialists. As this sector continues to grow, especially with increasing specialization among veterinarians, the potential financial rewards in Pullman become increasingly attractive for both aspiring and current practitioners.
About the Pullman Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,405 | $47.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,100 | $62.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,462 | $77.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $205,391 | $98.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,716 | $119.58 |
Median Salary Position
16.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pullman
In Pullman, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $150,311 (2026 est.). At $160,462, the local median is 16.84% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pullman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pullman Veterinarian Pay Compares
Pullman median: $160,462/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pullman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,148 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +16.84% more |
Veterinarians in Pullman, WA earn a median of $160,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.84% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.00% below the Washington state average of $167,148.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pullman has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pullman, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,462 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,406 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,536
2025 BLS Actual
$152,010
2026 Current Est.
$160,462
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Pullman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,536 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,965 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,158 | Actual |
| 2024 | $146,365 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,383 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pullman metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $111,536 (2019) to $152,010 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,847 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pullman 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) | $98,405 – $129,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,100 – $160,462 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,462 – $205,391 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $205,391 – $248,716 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Pullman
With only six veterinarians employed in Pullman, the local job market remains tight but competitive. The area's cost of living index is 107.4, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for veterinarians, necessitating salary negotiations around this regional economic reality. Among employers, corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl lead compensation offers, in stark contrast to independent practices that may not provide the same financial incentives. High pay often pertains to specialty certifications in fields such as surgery and internal medicine, while general practice roles may attract lower compensation. To maximize earnings, prospective veterinarians should focus on obtaining board certifications, considering roles within corporate practices, and capitalizing on sign-on bonuses which currently range between $50,000 and $150,000 in high-demand areas like Pullman.
More salary data for Pullman, 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 $152,010 for veterinariansin the Pullman 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 Pullman 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