Veterinarian Salary in Birmingham, AL: $112,833 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Birmingham, AL earns a median $112,833/year (≈ $54.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $123,121 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Birmingham, Alabama, can anticipate a median annual salary of $112,833 in 2026, reflecting the impact of structural divides within the profession. Corporate and independent practice settings often result in varied compensation, where corporate chains may offer higher starting salaries but often less job satisfaction or work-life balance. The anticipated salary range for veterinarians in this area extends from $82,326 at the 10th percentile to $186,134 at the 90th percentile, indicating a potential for significant income variation depending on practice type and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, demonstrates that while the local salary figures trail the national median of $137,334 by nearly 18%, the growing demand for veterinary services in Birmingham suggests healthy future opportunities for practicing veterinarians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,326 | $39.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,283 | $52.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,833 | $54.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,833 | $81.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,134 | $89.49 |
Median Salary Position
17.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,808 (2026 est.). At $112,833, the local median is 17.84% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Birmingham Veterinarian Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $112,833/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $108,389 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -17.84% less |
Veterinarians in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $112,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.84% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.10% above the Alabama state average of $108,389.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $112,833 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $123,121 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,450
2025 BLS Actual
$106,890
2026 Current Est.
$112,833
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,833 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 7.5% from $99,450 (2019) to $106,890 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,657 (19.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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) | $82,326 – $108,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,283 – $112,833 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,833 – $168,833 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,833 – $186,134 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Birmingham
With about 310 veterinarians currently employed in Birmingham, the job market remains competitive, especially in light of a cost-of-living index of 91.644, which signals reasonable living expenses for the area. The highest-paying opportunities are generally found in specialty referral hospitals and corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl, which comprise around 25% of the market. Salary disparities often arise from factors such as specialty board certification—where those in fields like surgery or internal medicine can earn significantly more—and compensation structures that may include production-based pay models. To enhance earning potential, veterinarians in Birmingham should consider pursuing board certification, exploring employment with high-paying corporate chains, or taking advantage of sign-on bonuses currently offered to new graduates, especially in underserved areas. These strategies can collectively help professionals maximize their veterinarian pay in Birmingham, AL.
More salary data for Birmingham, 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 $106,890 for veterinariansin the Birmingham 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
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