Veterinarian salary in Illinois
Veterinarians in Illinois earn a median of $133,580 a year ($64.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $280,380 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $130,100. Illinois ranks 8th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.38 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $153,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| 25th percentile | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Median | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| 75th percentile | $168,050 | $80.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $280,380 | $134.80 |
| Average (mean) | $153,810 | $73.95 |
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 | $11,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,137.69 |
| Weekly | $2,568.85 |
| Hourly | $64.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $148,730 | 1,530 |
| Peoria, IL | $135,860 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $132,720 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,470 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $122,460 | 810 |
| Springfield, IL | $113,890 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $106,520 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,360 | 30 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for veterinarians in Illinois is $133,580 a year, or $64.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $280,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Illinois?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Illinois earn at least $280,380 a year. The top 25% earn $168,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,840 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $102,630 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Illinois?
About 2,330 veterinarians are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.