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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Veterinarian in Illinois is $123,556 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, an Associate Veterinarian's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Associate Veterinarian Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $130,320 | $10,860 | $2,506 | $63 |
| Average | $123,556 | $10,296 | $2,376 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,676 | $9,306 | $2,148 | $54 |
VCA Animal Hospitals - Chicago, IL
Petco Health and Wellness - Lake Zurich, IL
National Veterinary Association - Moline, IL
Tempus Veterinary Recruitment - Chicago, IL
An Associate Veterinarian's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Veterinarian's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Associate Veterinarian | $117,461 |
| Intermediate Level Associate Veterinarian | $118,394 |
| Senior Level Associate Veterinarian | $119,887 |
| Specialist Level Associate Veterinarian | $121,753 |
| Expert Level Associate Veterinarian | $124,054 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Associate Veterinarians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Associate Veterinarian roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Associate Veterinarian positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Veterinarian as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $197,690 | $95.0 | 60% |
| Healthcare | $172,979 | $83.0 | 40% |
| MFG Durable | $148,268 | $71.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Associate Veterinarian's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $130,320 | $10,860 | $2,506 | $63 |
| Average | $123,556 | $10,296 | $2,376 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,676 | $9,306 | $2,148 | $54 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Veterinarian job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Galesburg Animal Hospital
Galesburg, IL
Galesburg Animal Hospital | Galesburg, IL
Associate Veterinarian &OpenCurlyDoubleQuote. $95,000 - $120,000 depending on experience&OpenCurlyDoubleQuote. Galesburg, Il What if you could work in a su... more
7 Days Ago
Tempus Veterinary Recruitment
Crystal Lake, IL
Tempus Veterinary Recruitment | Crystal Lake, IL
Introduction Our client is a hospital in Crystal Lake, Illinois, seeking a Rehab and Integrative Veterinarian to join their state-of-the-art facility. This... more
7 Days Ago
EVB
Plainfield, IL
EVB | Plainfield, IL
Associate VeterinarianAre you a veterinarian who's passionate about high-quality medicine and ready to grow in a supportive, forward-thinking environment. ... more
7 Days Ago
McKillip Animal Hospital LTD
Chicago, IL
McKillip Animal Hospital LTD | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. We are looking for a Veterinarian to diagnose and treat our clients’ animals. Our clinic specializes in dogs, cats and oc... more
7 Days Ago
VCA Animal Hospitals
Highland Park, IL
VCA Animal Hospitals | Highland Park, IL
Associate Veterinarian, DVM. Join us as an Associate Veterinarian, DVM at VCA Cairo Animal Hospital located in Highland Park, IL and you'll quickly discove... more
7 Days Ago
Petco Health and Wellness
Chicago, IL
Petco Health and Wellness | Chicago, IL
Veterinarian Position at Petco. Want to help pets live their best lives. We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to ma... more
7 Days Ago
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