Veterinarian salary in Madison, WI
Veterinarians in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $115,210 a year ($55.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,870 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $108,780. There are 1.0 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $123,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| 25th percentile | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| Median | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| 75th percentile | $143,940 | $69.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,870 | $77.82 |
| Average (mean) | $123,830 | $59.53 |
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 | $9,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,800.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,431.15 |
| Weekly | $2,215.58 |
| Hourly | $55.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $158,200 | 1,470 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $126,650 | 90 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $117,780 | 430 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $115,100 | 30 |
| Kenosha, WI | $110,990 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $110,120 | 40 |
| Appleton, WI | $105,800 | 100 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $105,410 | 30 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $105,230 | 30 |
| Green Bay, WI | $104,850 | 100 |
| Wausau, WI | $101,540 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $340,150 | $163.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Madison, WI metro area is $115,210 a year, or $55.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $161,870 a year. The top 25% earn $143,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,080 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $101,420 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Madison, WI?
About 420 veterinarians are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.