Veterinarian Salary in Augusta, GA: $126,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Augusta, GA earns a median $126,788/year (≈ $60.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $137,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Augusta, Georgia, the compensation for veterinarians demonstrates a compelling production-based compensation model, where the median annual salary is projected at $126,788 for 2026. This figure reflects a salary range from $66,154 at the 10th percentile to $222,805 at the 90th percentile, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. When examining this salary in a national context, it's evident that veterinarians in Augusta earn about 7.68% less than the projected national median of $137,334. With a growing market and an annual growth rate of 5.56%, the Augusta job market shows strong demand for veterinary services, presenting substantial earning potential for professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,154 | $31.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,544 | $49.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,788 | $60.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,641 | $77.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,805 | $107.12 |
Median Salary Position
7.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, GA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $156,651 (2026 est.). At $126,788, the local median is 7.68% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Veterinarian Pay Compares
Augusta median: $126,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $128,719 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -7.68% less |
Veterinarians in Augusta, GA earn a median of $126,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.68% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.50% below the Georgia state average of $128,719.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 8.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 91.903 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $126,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,958 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.81% boost.
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
$82,090
2025 BLS Actual
$120,110
2026 Current Est.
$126,788
2019–2027 Growth
+63.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 46.3% from $82,090 (2019) to $120,110 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,748 (63.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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) | $66,154 – $103,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,544 – $126,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,788 – $160,641 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,641 – $222,805 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Augusta
The local job market for veterinarians in Augusta consists of approximately 140 practitioners employed across varied settings, which influences compensation levels. The cost of living, indexed at 91.903, is relatively lower than the national average, allowing for greater take-home purchasing power despite the slightly lower salaries. Among the diverse employment options, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which make up about 25% of the market, often offer higher wages compared to independent practices. Additionally, those in specialty fields or possessing board certifications are likely to see higher compensation, sometimes significantly impacting earning potential through bonuses and equity stakes in practices. With competitive sign-on bonuses currently ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in shortage areas, savvy veterinarians may find lucrative opportunities in this vibrant market. Maximizing pay in Augusta may involve pursuing specialty certifications or seeking positions within corporate practices, where structured compensation models tend to favor higher earnings.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Augusta, GA in 2026?
Is Augusta, GA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Augusta?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Augusta?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Augusta?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $120,110 for veterinariansin the Augusta 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