Veterinarian Salary in Anniston, AL: $104,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Anniston, AL earns a median $104,306/year (≈ $50.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Anniston's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $118,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, veterinarians in Anniston, Alabama, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,306, which reflects a noticeable discrepancy compared to the national median of $137,334. The local salary range extends from $63,197 at the 10th percentile to $159,994 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant potential for income variation based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight both the earning opportunities and the financial challenges facing veterinary professionals in this area. As corporate consolidation continues to reshape the veterinary landscape, these dynamics may increasingly impact local compensation structures and job availability.
About the Anniston Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,197 | $30.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,203 | $40.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,306 | $50.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,986 | $61.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,994 | $76.92 |
Median Salary Position
24.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anniston
In Anniston, AL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,797 (2026 est.). At $104,306, the local median is 24.05% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anniston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anniston Veterinarian Pay Compares
Anniston median: $104,306/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anniston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $108,426 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -24.05% less |
Veterinarians in Anniston, AL earn a median of $104,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.05% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.80% below the Alabama state average of $108,426.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anniston has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anniston, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $104,306 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $118,664 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,503
2025 BLS Actual
$98,812
2026 Current Est.
$104,306
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Anniston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,503 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,381 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,427 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,457 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,881 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anniston metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $72,503 (2019) to $98,812 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,602 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anniston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,197 – $83,203 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,203 – $104,306 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,306 – $127,986 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,986 – $159,994 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Anniston
With only four veterinarians currently employed in Anniston, the local job market remains quite limited. This scarcity can enhance competition for roles but also indicates that employers may offer more attractive packages to entice new talent. The cost-of-living index stands at 87.9, suggesting that while the salary levels might seem lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power for those in veterinary positions remains relatively robust. In terms of compensation, independent practices and specialty referral hospitals often provide competitive wages compared to corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which account for a significant portion of the market. Factors contributing to salary variation include specialty board certifications in surgery or internal medicine, which can lead to higher pay scales, as well as production-based compensation models prevalent across many practices. Prospective veterinarians should consider these elements when assessing their career paths in Anniston, as a focus on specialized skills and the potential for practice ownership could significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Anniston, AL:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,812 for veterinariansin the Anniston metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Anniston 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