Veterinarian Salary in Daphne, AL: $106,020 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Daphne, AL earns a median $106,020/year (≈ $50.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Daphne's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $120,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Daphne, Alabama, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $106,020, significantly lower than the national average of $137,334. The salary ranges widely, with entry-level positions starting around $61,492 and top earners reaching as high as $164,332. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, reflect the localized economic factors that influence veterinarian pay in Daphne. For those considering specialization, board-certified veterinarians—especially in areas such as surgery or internal medicine—can command higher premiums, further impacting the salary dynamics within the local job market.
About the Daphne Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,492 | $29.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,269 | $39.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,020 | $50.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,225 | $62.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,332 | $79.00 |
Median Salary Position
22.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daphne
In Daphne, AL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,840 (2026 est.). At $106,020, the local median is 22.8% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daphne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daphne Veterinarian Pay Compares
Daphne median: $106,020/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daphne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $108,405 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -22.80% less |
Veterinarians in Daphne, AL earn a median of $106,020 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.80% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.20% below the Alabama state average of $108,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daphne 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.
Daphne, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $106,020 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,614 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,980
2025 BLS Actual
$100,436
2026 Current Est.
$106,020
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Daphne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,020 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daphne metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 34.0% from $74,980 (2019) to $100,436 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,935 (49.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daphne 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) | $61,492 – $81,269 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,269 – $106,020 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,020 – $130,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,225 – $164,332 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Daphne
Despite having just six veterinarians employed in the area, the job market in Daphne presents a unique set of opportunities for maximizing earnings. With a cost-of-living index at 87.9, living expenses are below the national average, enhancing purchasing power for those in the profession. Among local employers, corporate veterinary practices often provide higher salaries, especially for specialty roles, compared to independent practices, which may offer different compensation structures and opportunities for ownership. Factors driving the salary range include the notable disparity between general and specialty practice earnings, production-based compensation models, and even the potential for substantial sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates. To maximize veterinarian pay in Daphne, pursuing specialty board certifications and considering opportunities within corporate settings may be advantageous strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Daphne, 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 $100,436 for veterinariansin the Daphne 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 Daphne 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