Veterinarian Salary in Denver, CO
Veterinarians in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $135,090 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $98,364 take-home, or $8,197 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$21,156
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,376
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,959
- Colorado income tax$5,236
- Take-home pay$98,364
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Veterinarian pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,250 | $41.47 | $66,420 | $5,535 |
| 25th percentile | $126,790 | $60.96 | $93,057 | $7,755 |
| Median (50th) | $135,090 | $64.95 | $98,364 | $8,197 |
| 75th percentile | $164,220 | $78.95 | $116,993 | $9,749 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,950 | $104.78 | $153,260 | $12,772 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $135,090 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median veterinarian's $98,364 take-home pay has the buying power of $92,988 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO has 1.3× the national concentration of veterinarian jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for veterinarians, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #35 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $208,080 | $137,051 | $118,543 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $161,060 | $117,533 | $113,760 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $163,810 | $123,230 | $110,885 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $162,930 | $115,018 | $110,079 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $158,200 | $109,810 | $104,759 |
| 6 | San Antonio, TX | $128,550 | $99,130 | $104,660 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $133,250 | $102,342 | $104,361 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $165,260 | $110,933 | $103,997 |
| 35 | Denver, CO | $135,090 | $98,364 | $92,988 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Denver, CO?
The median veterinarian salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $135,090 a year, or about $64.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $126,790 and $164,220.
What is a veterinarian’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $135,090 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $98,364 a year ($8,197 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,236 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $130,100. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $92,988 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #35 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinarian afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median veterinarian’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $168,620
- Optometrist — $158,130
- Pharmacist — $157,890
- Physician Assistant — $134,540
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,040
- Dental Hygienist — $113,760
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $112,090
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $108,410
- Occupational Therapist — $107,500
- Physical Therapist — $102,340