Veterinarian Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $124,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $124,329/year (≈ $59.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $128,258 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Milwaukee earn a median annual salary of $124,329, which reflects a competitive position within the broader landscape of veterinary medicine. The salary range for this profession stretches from $84,670 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $170,205 for those at the highest end (90th percentile). These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, providing a clear picture of the earning potential for veterinarians in WI. While local salaries are somewhat lower than the national median of $137,334, the income dynamics in Milwaukee highlight the value of specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care that can command premium compensation. This aspect is particularly relevant in a market where specialized skills increasingly align with higher pay brackets.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,670 | $40.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,761 | $50.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,329 | $59.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,268 | $67.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,205 | $81.83 |
Median Salary Position
9.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,535 (2026 est.). At $124,329, the local median is 9.47% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Veterinarian Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $124,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $113,958 | +9.10% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -9.47% less |
Veterinarians in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $124,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.47% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 9.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $113,958.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $124,329 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,258 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,000
2025 BLS Actual
$117,780
2026 Current Est.
$124,329
2019–2027 Growth
+39.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,482 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,822 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,241 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 25.3% from $94,000 (2019) to $117,780 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,241 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,241 (39.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $84,670 – $105,761 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,761 – $124,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,329 – $140,268 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,268 – $170,205 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Milwaukee
Employment opportunities for veterinarians in Milwaukee are robust, with approximately 430 professionals actively practicing in the area. The cost of living index in Milwaukee stands at 96.937, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that veterinarians may enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to their salaries. Competitive pay is offered by corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl, which represent nearly 25% of the market, often providing higher salaries and sign-on bonuses due to the shortage of practitioners. The disparity in earnings reflects several factors, including specialization, production-based compensation structures, and ownership opportunities. To maximize earning potential, practitioners in Milwaukee should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring positions with large corporate groups, and negotiating for attractive incentives, such as sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
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 $117,780 for veterinariansin the Milwaukee 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