Illinois Median
$133,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $130,100
State Rank
#8 of 49
2,330 employed here
How much does a Veterinarian make in Illinois?
Veterinarians in Illinois take home a median of $133,580 annually — roughly $64.22 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $130,100.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $74,840 while the top 10% make $280,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,630 and $168,050 a year.
Veterinarian salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,840 | $35.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $102,630 | $49.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $133,580 | $64.22 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $168,050 | $80.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $280,380 | $134.80 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 8th out of 49 states and territories for Veterinarian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Veterinarian salary in other states
California $163,920Maryland $163,170Washington $160,510New Jersey $160,140Arizona $152,020Massachusetts $140,260District of Columbia $134,530Pennsylvania $133,520Minnesota $133,110New York $131,830Vermont $131,820Florida $131,660Texas $131,330Colorado $130,840Maine $130,600Hawaii $130,120New Mexico $129,390North Carolina $129,240West Virginia $128,990Oregon $128,880New Hampshire $128,190Virginia $126,730Georgia $126,590Rhode Island $126,570Connecticut $126,190Nevada $125,550Michigan $125,390Ohio $125,060Iowa $124,610Indiana $124,530Louisiana $124,370Tennessee $124,350Utah $123,990South Carolina $122,130Idaho $116,170Missouri $114,660Wisconsin $108,780Arkansas $107,710Kansas $107,080Alabama $105,630Mississippi $105,370Kentucky $104,100Nebraska $103,500North Dakota $102,180Montana $99,390Oklahoma $98,090Wyoming $97,240South Dakota $88,650
Working as a Veterinarian in Illinois
Nationally, about 84,000 people work as Veterinarians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($133,580) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Veterinarian make in Illinois?
The median Veterinarian salary in Illinois is $133,580 per year, or about $64.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,840 at the entry level to $280,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Veterinarians about 3% more than the national median of $130,100. Illinois ranks 8th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Veterinarians?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $133,580 a year. About 2,330 Veterinarians are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Veterinarian salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.