Veterinarian Salary in Daytona Beach, FL: $136,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Daytona Beach, FL earns a median $136,731/year (≈ $65.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Daytona Beach's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $135,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the veterinarian salary in Daytona Beach is projected to reach a median of $136,731, slightly below the national median of $137,334. This figure reflects a wide pay range where entry-level positions may earn around $79,779, while the highest earners in the profession could command up to $211,933. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments highlight the pay dynamics influenced by the structural divide between corporate and independent veterinary practices. With corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl holding a significant share of the market, compensation can vary significantly based on practice type, leading to distinct earning potentials for veterinarians based on career choices within Daytona Beach's job market.
About the Daytona Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,779 | $38.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,281 | $51.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,731 | $65.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,015 | $84.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,933 | $101.89 |
Median Salary Position
0.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daytona Beach
In Daytona Beach, FL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,154 (2026 est.). At $136,731, the local median is 0.44% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daytona Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daytona Beach Veterinarian Pay Compares
Daytona Beach median: $136,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daytona Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $138,532 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.44% less |
Veterinarians in Daytona Beach, FL earn a median of $136,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.44% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $138,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daytona Beach has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daytona Beach, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,731 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,646 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,041
2025 BLS Actual
$129,529
2026 Current Est.
$136,731
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Daytona Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,041 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,814 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,807 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,935 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,529 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,333 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daytona Beach metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $95,041 (2019) to $129,529 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,333 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,292 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daytona Beach 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) | $79,779 – $107,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,281 – $136,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,731 – $175,015 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,015 – $211,933 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Daytona Beach
The local veterinary employment sector consists of just 14 professionals, which indicates limited opportunities and potentially high competition. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 100.8, this suggests that while salaries might seem attractive, the purchasing power may not be significantly higher than the national average, impacting take-home pay. Among various practice settings, specialty referral hospitals and corporate practices tend to offer the most competitive compensation, partly due to production-based models and the appeals of higher revenue streams. In contrast, independent and mixed animal practices generally provide less lucrative opportunities. To maximize veterinarian pay in Daytona Beach, aspiring veterinarians may consider pursuing specialty board certification or exploring partnerships in growing corporate practices that often include attractive sign-on bonuses, which are currently ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in this competitive market.
More salary data for Daytona Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Daytona Beach, FL in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Daytona Beach?
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Related Pages
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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 $129,529 for veterinariansin the Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach 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