Entry-Level Veterinarian Salary in Quincy, MA: $81,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:New veterinarians entering the Quincy, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,955 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Quincy's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,535 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($141,302) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a newly graduated veterinarian in Quincy, Massachusetts, can expect a starting salary in the ballpark of $81,955, which represents the 10th percentile of salaries for their profession in the area. This figure is quite a bit lower than the median annual salary of $141,302 for veterinarians in Quincy, indicating a significant gap as new grads transition into their careers. Over the first three to five years, they can anticipate modest salary growth, moving from entry-level pay toward the 25th percentile at $109,667 and eventually nearer to the median as they accrue experience. Considering projected growth rates of 5.56% annually, Quincy seems to be a favorable market for recent veterinary graduates, offering a solid start to their careers while allowing for professional development and financial advancement.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Quincy
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Quincy
Entry-level veterinarians in Quincy, MA typically start between $81,955 and $109,667 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $137,062 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $141,302 — 2.89% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average veterinary medicine program cost in Massachusetts of $250,000 represents just 305.05% of the starting veterinarian pay ($81,955/year) in Quincy. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AVMA Council on Education (COE)-accredited DVM program data from AAVMC cost comparison tool and state veterinary college reports. Tuition-only totals for the 4-year DVM curriculum; resident vs. non-resident rates vary substantially.
DVM Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Quincy
- 1Research the Quincy market: entry-level veterinarian pay ranges from $81,955 to $109,667, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the veterinary medicine field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Quincy, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Quincy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Quincy's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Veterinarian Compensation Range
The veterinarian wage spread in Quincy is $137,062 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,955, experienced hygienists can earn up to $219,017.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,001
2025 BLS Actual
$77,638
2026 Current Est.
$81,955
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Quincy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,816 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,486 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,638 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,511 | Projected |
Entry-level veterinarian compensation (10th percentile) in Quincy, MA grew 27.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,001 in 2019 to $77,638 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,511. New graduates entering the Quincy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your veterinary medicine Career in Quincy
Entry-level veterinarians entering the Quincy job market will likely find opportunities at various employers, including corporate veterinary chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, which actively seek out new graduates. These organizations often provide structured mentorship programs and may even offer sign-on bonuses, making them attractive choices for early-career veterinarians. Independent practices may offer a faster pace and greater autonomy, but can lack the structured training found in corporate settings. To enhance their marketability and starting pay in Massachusetts, new grads should prioritize obtaining their DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited institution, passing the NAVLE, and securing their state veterinary license. Additional credentials like completing a rotating internship, pursuing ACVS or ACVIM board certification, and staying updated through continuing education can significantly impact salary potential as corporate consolidation continues to reshape employment norms in the veterinary field. Early-career veterinarians can realistically expect incremental salary increases as they establish themselves in the industry, especially in light of corporate pay structures increasingly favoring specialization.
More salary data for Quincy, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new veterinary medicine graduates. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Quincy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Quincy is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov