Veterinarian Salary in Albany, GA: $128,678 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Albany, GA earns a median $128,678/year (≈ $61.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Albany's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $146,777 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, Georgia, veterinarians earn a median annual salary of $128,678, reflecting the realities of both corporate and independent practice structures. The salary range spans from $63,663 at the 10th percentile to $158,804 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied pay landscape. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, paints a picture where employed veterinarians can expect compensation lower than the national median of $137,334. The local market is influenced significantly by the presence of corporate practices, which often offer structured pay scales and benefits that can attract talent. However, independent practices may provide other forms of job satisfaction and ownership opportunities that affect overall compensation strategies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,663 | $30.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,523 | $49.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,678 | $61.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,286 | $65.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,804 | $76.35 |
Median Salary Position
6.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, GA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,141 (2026 est.). At $128,678, the local median is 6.3% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be above the median
How Albany Veterinarian Pay Compares
Albany median: $128,678/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.30% less |
Veterinarians in Albany, GA earn a median of $128,678 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.30% lower than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 12.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, GA has a cost-of-living index of 87.669 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $128,678 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,777 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,430
2025 BLS Actual
$121,900
2026 Current Est.
$128,678
2019–2027 Growth
+62.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,044 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,752 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,593 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,463 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,678 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 46.1% from $83,430 (2019) to $121,900 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,402 (62.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $63,663 – $103,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,523 – $128,678 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,678 – $135,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,286 – $158,804 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Albany
Considering the job market in Albany, there are approximately 30 veterinarians currently employed, with the cost of living index standing at 87.669, suggesting that take-home pay retains greater purchasing power relative to national standards. Within Albany, salary discrepancies often arise between different types of employers. Corporate chains, which constitute around 25% of the market, typically lead in pay, especially for new graduates considering signing bonuses that range from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas. Additionally, veterinarians achieving specialty board certification in fields like surgery or internal medicine can experience significantly higher earning potential, sometimes 2-3 times that of general practitioners. Maximizing pay in this locale often involves pursuing these specialties, exploring ownership interests, or negotiating beneficial contracts with either independent or corporate practices, reflecting the competitive nature of the veterinary field in Albany, GA.
More salary data for Albany, GA:
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 $121,900 for veterinariansin the Albany 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, 4-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