Veterinarian Salary in Georgia: $132,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $132,154/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $141,948 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($131,503), Atlanta ($128,980), Roswell ($126,055).
In Georgia, the average median salary for veterinarians in 2026 is projected to be $132,154, which is approximately 3.8% lower than the national median of $137,334. The disparity in salaries across cities is significant, with Sandy Springs offering the highest average at $138,815, while Columbus presents the lowest at $105,391. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of affluent pet owners in specific areas. The veterinary profession in Georgia is supported by specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence job duties and responsibilities. The growing pet population and increased awareness of animal health are key drivers of demand, contributing to an annual compound growth rate of 5.56% in the field. Currently, there are 2,520 veterinarians employed across the state, with top cities for employment and salaries including Atlanta at $136,151, Roswell at $133,064, Rome at $131,454, and Athens at $130,177. The outlook for the veterinary job market in Georgia remains positive, with a steady increase in opportunities expected to continue as the population of pets grows and healthcare for animals becomes a priority for Georgia residents.
Georgia Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $45,676 (lowest entry-level) to $244,414 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia veterinarians earn 3.77% less than the national median ($-5,180/year difference).
Georgia Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Georgia range from $75,576 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $185,702 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,154. The Georgia median is $5,180 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $63.54/hr. Approximately 2,520 veterinarians are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$89,713
2025 BLS Actual
$125,193
2026 Current Est.
$132,154
2019–2027 Growth
+55.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,713 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,125 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,792 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,425 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,247 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,193 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,501 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 39.5% from $89,713 (2019) to $125,193 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,788 (55.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $105,391 |
| Warner Robins | $114,395 |
| Griffin | $119,694 |
| Canton | $121,966 |
| Tucker | $122,256 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | $138,815 | 93.1 | $149,103 |
| Albany | $128,678 | 87.669 | $146,777 |
| Rome | $131,454 | 90.161 | $145,799 |
| Roswell | $133,064 | 93.1 | $142,926 |
| Alpharetta | $129,984 | 93.1 | $139,618 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,576 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,154 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $185,702 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $138,815 |
| 2 | Atlanta | $136,151 |
| 3 | Roswell | $133,064 |
| 4 | Rome | $131,454 |
| 5 | Athens | $130,177 |
| 6 | Alpharetta | $129,984 |
| 7 | South Fulton | $129,835 |
| 8 | Gainesville | $128,825 |
| 9 | Albany | $128,678 |
| 10 | Brookhaven | $128,670 |
| 11 | Lawrenceville | $127,778 |
| 12 | Statesboro | $127,638 |
| 13 | Woodstock | $127,488 |
| 14 | Stockbridge | $127,299 |
| 15 | Pooler | $127,119 |
| 16 | Valdosta | $126,998 |
| 17 | Macon | $126,902 |
| 18 | Augusta | $126,788 |
| 19 | Marietta | $126,336 |
| 20 | Peachtree Corners | $126,320 |
| 21 | Johns Creek | $125,776 |
| 22 | Hinesville | $125,062 |
| 23 | Evans | $124,812 |
| 24 | Douglasville | $124,693 |
| 25 | Dunwoody | $124,685 |
| 26 | Smyrna | $124,552 |
| 27 | Dalton | $124,193 |
| 28 | McDonough | $124,023 |
| 29 | Newnan | $123,824 |
| 30 | Milton | $123,773 |
| 31 | Savannah | $122,956 |
| 32 | Kennesaw | $122,845 |
| 33 | Cartersville | $122,568 |
| 34 | Peachtree City | $122,566 |
| 35 | Tucker | $122,256 |
| 36 | Canton | $121,966 |
| 37 | Griffin | $119,694 |
| 38 | Warner Robins | $114,395 |
| 39 | Columbus | $105,391 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Georgia?
How does Georgia veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Georgia?
How many veterinarians are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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