Senior Veterinarian Salary in Burlington, VT: $228,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of veterinarians working in Burlington, VT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $228,749/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1131. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $226,599 in average-cost America. The 64% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, VT, the financial rewards for experienced veterinarians are considerable, with top earners potentially reaching an impressive $228,749 annually by 2026. This figure places Burlington's top veterinarian salary among the highest nationally, highlighting the value of skilled professionals in this sector. The significant disparity between the median annual salary of $139,149 and the upper earnings threshold reflects the premium placed on advanced experience and specialization. Achieving such top-tier pay often involves years of dedication, along with further education and certification, particularly as certain specializations in veterinary medicine become increasingly lucrative.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced veterinarians at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $193,481 and $228,749 per year (2026 est.). This $130,599 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $139,149 sits 1.32% above the US median.
Top DVM Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $139,149 | $137,334 |
| 75th Percentile | $193,481 | $175,356 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $228,749 | $227,693 |
In Burlington, experienced veterinarians (P90) earn 64.39% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Veterinarian Pay in Burlington
Advanced Certifications in Vermont
VT veterinarians with additional specialty certifications within the veterinary medicine field earn significantly above the $139,149 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Veterinarians focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the veterinary medicine field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $193,481–$228,749 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced veterinarians who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured veterinarians in Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Veterinarians in Vermont who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Veterinarian Career & Wage Growth Path in Burlington
Clinical Veterinarian
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Veterinarian
5-10 yearsVeterinarian Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #1 of 9 Vermont cities for top earner veterinarian salary (90th percentile: $228,749).
Top 10% veterinarian compensation in Burlington ($228,749) is 2.24% above the Vermont average P90 ($223,739).
2019 BLS Actual
$124,830
2025 BLS Actual
$216,700
2026 Current Est.
$228,749
2019–2027 Growth
+93.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $162,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $175,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $202,374 | Actual |
| 2024 | $213,877 | Actual |
| 2025 | $216,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $228,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $241,467 | Projected |
Top-earning veterinarians (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 73.6% from $124,830 in 2019 to $216,700 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.56% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $241,467 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Maximizing Your Veterinarian Earnings in Burlington
Senior veterinarians in Burlington can capitalize on a variety of advanced specializations to command superior compensation. Fields such as small animal surgery (DACVS), internal medicine (DACVIM), and emergency/critical care (DACVECC) offer notable pay premiums appealing to seasoned practitioners. The type of employer also significantly impacts compensation; those working in corporate practices or specialty referral hospitals often find higher salaries compared to independent clinics or mixed practices. Moreover, advancement opportunities are increasingly accessible within corporate structures, where regional medical director roles or practice partnership/opening avenues become realistic. Credentials, including DVM or VMD alongside specialty board certifications from organizations like ACVS or ACVIM, are critical in enhancing earning potential. At the senior level, many veterinarians also benefit from performance-based compensation, which aligns earnings with the revenues generated through their advanced expertise.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced veterinarians make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher veterinarian pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost veterinarian salary in Burlington?
Can experienced veterinarians make six figures in Burlington?
How much does veterinarian salary increase over time in Burlington?
Related Pages
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $216,700 for veterinarians in the Burlington metro area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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