Veterinarian Salary in Tampa, FL: $138,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Tampa, FL earns a median $138,484/year (≈ $66.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $137,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Tampa, Florida, are positioned to earn a competitive salary with a 2026 median annual compensation of $138,484, reflecting an upward trend compared to the national average. The salary range for veterinarians in the area spans from $65,869 at the 10th percentile to $219,480 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant potential for growth, especially for those with specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights a dynamic job market in Tampa that rewards specialization and expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,869 | $31.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,682 | $39.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,484 | $66.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,926 | $84.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,480 | $105.52 |
Median Salary Position
0.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,611 (2026 est.). At $138,484, the local median is 0.84% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tampa Veterinarian Pay Compares
Tampa median: $138,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.84% more |
Veterinarians in Tampa, FL earn a median of $138,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.84% higher than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,484 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,262 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,560
2025 BLS Actual
$131,190
2026 Current Est.
$138,484
2019–2027 Growth
+77.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 58.9% from $82,560 (2019) to $131,190 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $63,624 (77.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $65,869 – $81,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,682 – $138,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,484 – $175,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,926 – $219,480 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Tampa
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are about 1,060 veterinarians currently employed in Tampa, a reflection of the area's demand for veterinary professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89, the financial landscape suggests that while salaries are robust, careful management of expenses is necessary to enhance take-home purchasing power. Major employers such as corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer higher compensation compared to independent practices, particularly for roles in emergency care or specialty hospitals. Factors influencing the wide salary range include specialty certifications, production-based compensation models, and opportunities for partnership in practice ownership. For those considering their earning potential, focusing on advanced training or pursuing roles in larger corporate settings may prove advantageous in maximizing veterinarian pay in Tampa, FL.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $131,190 for veterinariansin the Tampa 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