Veterinarian salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Veterinarians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $148,730 a year ($71.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,310 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 11% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $133,580. There are 0.34 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $162,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,770 | $38.83 |
| 25th percentile | $114,540 | $55.07 |
| Median | $148,730 | $71.51 |
| 75th percentile | $196,430 | $94.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $289,310 | $139.09 |
| Average (mean) | $162,730 | $78.24 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,394.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,197.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,720.38 |
| Weekly | $2,860.19 |
| Hourly | $71.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $135,860 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $132,720 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $127,850 | 520 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $127,670 | 650 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $127,650 | 70 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $126,500 | 30 |
| Bloomington, IN | $125,480 | 30 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $124,970 | 80 |
| Evansville, IN | $124,590 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,470 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $122,460 | 810 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $119,310 | 30 |
| Springfield, IL | $113,890 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $108,000 | 360 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $106,520 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,360 | 30 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $91,910 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Chiropractor | $72,440 | $34.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $148,730 a year, or $71.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $289,310 a year. The top 25% earn $196,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,770 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $114,540 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,530 veterinarians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.