Entry-Level Veterinarian Salary in Memphis, TN: $106,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:New veterinarians entering the Memphis, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $106,352 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Memphis's local price level (BEA RPP 92.2 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $115,376 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,087) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the veterinary field in Memphis, Tennessee, the starting veterinarian salary is projected to be about $106,352 in 2026. This entry-level figure reflects a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $132,087. Over the first few years, typical salary growth may progress from the initial pay to approximately $113,920 at the 25th percentile, and potentially reaching the median within three to five years of employment. This growth trajectory indicates that Memphis can be a promising market for new veterinarians, offering a competitive entry salary that is relatively stable, especially given the city’s lower cost of living compared to the national average.
Career Earnings Timeline in Memphis
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 Memphis
Entry-level veterinarians in Memphis, TN typically start between $106,352 and $113,920 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,597 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,087 — 3.82% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average veterinary medicine program cost in Tennessee of $175,000 represents just 164.55% of the starting veterinarian pay ($106,352/year) in Memphis. 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 Memphis
- 1Research the Memphis market: entry-level veterinarian pay ranges from $106,352 to $113,920, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Memphis, 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 Memphis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Memphis's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Veterinarian Compensation Range
The veterinarian wage spread in Memphis is $77,597 ( 72.96%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $106,352, experienced hygienists can earn up to $183,949.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,750
2025 BLS Actual
$100,750
2026 Current Est.
$106,352
2019–2027 Growth
+73.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,265 | Projected |
Entry-level veterinarian compensation (10th percentile) in Memphis, TN grew 55.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,750 in 2019 to $100,750 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $112,265. New graduates entering the Memphis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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 Memphis
A number of employers in Memphis actively recruit newly minted veterinarians, including corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, which frequently provide structured mentorship programs and may offer sign-on bonuses. Independent practices tend to allow for quicker independence but often come with less robust training and support systems. To enhance their starting pay in the state, new veterinarians should ensure they hold a DVM or VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited institution, pass the NAVLE exam, and obtain necessary state licensure. Engaging in a one-year rotating internship can be beneficial, especially for those looking to specialize further through residency opportunities. Given the growing trend of corporate consolidation, early-career veterinarians should be mindful of how corporate pay structures can influence their compensation trajectories, with reports indicating that specialists earn substantially more, validating the importance of pursuing additional credentials through board certification after residency to maximize earnings potential.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Memphis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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