Healthcare Fort Collins, CO Pop. 169,810

Veterinarian Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado

The median veterinarian salary in Fort Collins, CO is $111,521 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median and 0.9% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$111,521
vs State Avg
+$1,033
vs National
+$8,261
Cost of Living
106%

Veterinarian Pay in Fort Collins: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Collins offers a median veterinarian salary of $111,521, which is $1,033 above the Colorado state average of $110,488. Compared to the national median of $103,260, Fort Collins pays above average for this role.

Fort Collins's cost of living is 106% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for veterinarians in Fort Collins spans from $70,416 at the 10th percentile to $188,136 at the 90th percentile — a $117,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,440, while senior veterinarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $167,400. With a population of 169,810, Fort Collins is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Veterinarian Salary in Fort Collins by Experience

In Fort Collins, an entry-level veterinarian earns around $73,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $167,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,440
+$5,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,400
+$8,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$167,400
+$12,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Collins, CO

Percentile Fort Collins
10th Percentile $70,416
25th Percentile $86,832
Median (50th) $111,521
75th Percentile $145,152
90th Percentile $188,136

Veterinarian Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Boulder, CO
$134,238
Pop. 105,673
Denver, CO
$117,716
Pop. 715,522
Aurora, CO
$110,488
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$105,325
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Veterinarian in Fort Collins

Education

Most veterinarian positions require a doctoral degree. Fort Collins and the surrounding Colorado area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

DiagnosisSurgeryPharmacologyAnimal HandlingClient CommunicationRadiology

Job Outlook

Nationally, veterinarian employment is projected to grow 19% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Collins may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Veterinarian Jobs in Fort Collins

Browse open veterinarian positions in Fort Collins, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Veterinarian Salary in Fort Collins

How much does a Veterinarian make in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
The median veterinarian salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $111,521 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median of $103,260. Salaries range from $70,416 (10th percentile) to $188,136 (90th percentile).
How much does a Veterinarian make per hour in Fort Collins? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,521, a veterinarian in Fort Collins earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Collins compare to the Colorado state average for veterinarian pay? ▼
Fort Collins's median veterinarian salary of $111,521 is 0.9% above the Colorado state average of $110,488. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
Fort Collins has a cost of living index of 106% compared to the national average. This means a veterinarian salary of $111,521 in Fort Collins has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a veterinarian in Fort Collins? ▼
Most veterinarian positions in Fort Collins require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Diagnosis, Surgery, Pharmacology, Animal Handling. The job market is projected to grow 19% nationally over the next decade.