Veterinarian Salary in Palm Coast, FL: $138,486 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Palm Coast, FL earns a median $138,486/year (≈ $66.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Palm Coast's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $137,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual veterinarian salary in Palm Coast, Florida, stands at $138,486, slightly above the national median of $137,334. This relatively robust local figure can be interpreted through the lens of the ongoing corporate versus independent practice structural divide. The salary range for veterinarians in Palm Coast reflects significant variability, with earnings projected to fall between $80,322 for the lowest 10% and $214,654 for the top 10%. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local economic conditions, suggest that those entering the profession should be prepared for varying compensation levels largely linked to practice type and employment structure, which ultimately shapes the job market dynamics in Palm Coast.
About the Palm Coast Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,322 | $38.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,870 | $50.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,486 | $66.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,033 | $83.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,654 | $103.20 |
Median Salary Position
0.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Coast
In Palm Coast, FL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,332 (2026 est.). At $138,486, the local median is 0.84% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Coast: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Coast Veterinarian Pay Compares
Palm Coast median: $138,486/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Coast Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.84% more |
Veterinarians in Palm Coast, FL earn a median of $138,486 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.84% higher than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Coast has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Coast, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,486 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,387 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$96,261
2025 BLS Actual
$131,192
2026 Current Est.
$138,486
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Palm Coast (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,261 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,083 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,127 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,866 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,486 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,186 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Coast metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $96,261 (2019) to $131,192 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,186 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,925 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Coast 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) | $80,322 – $104,870 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,870 – $138,486 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,486 – $173,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,033 – $214,654 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Palm Coast
With only 12 veterinarians currently employed in the area, the local job market presents both challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index in Palm Coast runs slightly above the national average at 100.8, indicating that while salaries are competitive, they need to be weighed against living expenses. Among local employers, corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher pay compared to independent clinics, often driven by standardized salaries and additional incentives such as production-based compensation and lucrative sign-on bonuses. The contrast in earnings can also stem from specialty areas, as board-certified veterinarians in fields like surgery or internal medicine can earn two to three times more than those in general practice. For new graduates or those considering relocation, understanding these compensation structures and targeting corporate roles with robust benefits could significantly enhance their take-home pay in Palm Coast, FL.
More salary data for Palm Coast, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Palm Coast, FL in 2026?
Is Palm Coast, FL a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Palm Coast?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Palm Coast?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Palm Coast?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $131,192 for veterinariansin the Palm Coast 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 Palm Coast 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