How much does a veterinarian make in Chicago?
$148,700a year
Median yearly pay for veterinarians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $71.50 an hour or $12,390 a month.
- Hourly
- $71.50
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among cities
- 39 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 1,530
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $80,770Median: $148,700Highest 10%: $289,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,770 | $38.83 | |
| 25th | $114,500 | $55.07 | |
| Median | $148,700 | $71.50 | |
| 75th | $196,400 | $94.44 | |
| 90th | $289,300 | $139.09 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for veterinarians.
| Peoria, IL | $135,900 |
| Rockford, IL | $132,700 |
| Davenport, IA | $124,500 |
| St. Louis, MO | $122,500 |
| Champaign, IL | $106,500 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Radiologist | $479,900 |
| Cardiologist | $475,600 |
| Surgeon | $462,600 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $446,500 |
| Dermatologist | $435,800 |
| Physician | $336,700 |
| Ophthalmologist | $284,600 |
| Dentist | $269,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,900 |
| Psychiatrist | $258,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $71.50 ($148,700 a year).
Do veterinarians make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $148,700 against $130,100 nationally, 14% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $133,600, so Chicago pays 11% more.
Where does Chicago rank for veterinarian pay?
39 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinarian make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $80,770 or less a year; the top 10% make $289,300 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.