Veterinarian Salary in Indiana: $129,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $129,875/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $142,251 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Indianapolis ($127,850), South Bend ($127,650), Muncie ($127,013).
The average median salary for veterinarians in Indiana is projected to be $129,876 in 2026, which is approximately 5.4% lower than the national median of $137,334. Within the state, there is a significant salary range among cities; Indianapolis, the highest paying city, offers $134,958, while West Lafayette, the lowest, pays $95,503. This $39,455 difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the presence of veterinary schools or clinics in metropolitan areas. In Indiana, veterinarians are required to be licensed and comply with specific state regulations, which may influence the scope of practice laws. Additionally, there is a favorable job market for veterinarians, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%, driven by increasing pet ownership and a growing recognition of veterinary services' importance in public health. The total number of employed veterinarians in the state stands at 1,228, with strong employment opportunities expected in cities like South Bend ($134,747), Muncie ($134,075), and Carmel ($133,776). Overall, those considering a veterinary career in Indiana should be aware of regional salary disparities and regulations that may impact their earning potential.
Indiana Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $57,775 (lowest entry-level) to $207,816 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana veterinarians earn 5.43% less than the national median ($-7,459/year difference).
Indiana Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Indiana range from $71,749 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $186,324 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $129,875. The Indiana median is $7,459 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $62.44/hr. Approximately 1,228 veterinarians are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,553
2025 BLS Actual
$123,035
2026 Current Est.
$129,875
2019–2027 Growth
+54.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,553 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,526 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,365 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 38.9% from $88,553 (2019) to $123,035 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,543 (54.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana 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 Indiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Lafayette | $95,503 |
| Lafayette | $97,020 |
| Munster | $121,627 |
| Goshen | $124,165 |
| Avon | $124,252 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muncie | $134,075 | 91.3 | $146,851 |
| Carmel | $133,776 | 91.3 | $146,524 |
| Noblesville | $133,656 | 91.3 | $146,392 |
| Terre Haute | $133,499 | 91.3 | $146,220 |
| Mishawaka | $133,017 | 91.3 | $145,692 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Indiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,749 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $129,875 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $186,324 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in Indiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $134,958 |
| 2 | South Bend | $134,747 |
| 3 | Muncie | $134,075 |
| 4 | Carmel | $133,776 |
| 5 | Noblesville | $133,656 |
| 6 | Michigan City | $133,533 |
| 7 | Terre Haute | $133,499 |
| 8 | Mishawaka | $133,017 |
| 9 | Bloomington | $132,457 |
| 10 | Gary | $132,357 |
| 11 | Greenwood | $132,157 |
| 12 | Fort Wayne | $131,918 |
| 13 | Fishers | $131,876 |
| 14 | Evansville | $131,517 |
| 15 | Plainfield | $130,627 |
| 16 | Valparaiso | $130,391 |
| 17 | Columbus | $130,247 |
| 18 | Kokomo | $130,190 |
| 19 | Westfield | $129,971 |
| 20 | Franklin | $129,951 |
| 21 | Schererville | $129,664 |
| 22 | Anderson | $129,206 |
| 23 | Richmond | $128,638 |
| 24 | Hammond | $128,578 |
| 25 | Marion | $127,755 |
| 26 | Portage | $127,683 |
| 27 | East Chicago | $127,622 |
| 28 | New Albany | $127,601 |
| 29 | Jeffersonville | $127,355 |
| 30 | Zionsville | $126,996 |
| 31 | Hobart | $126,944 |
| 32 | Merrillville | $126,801 |
| 33 | Granger | $126,761 |
| 34 | Lawrence | $126,463 |
| 35 | Elkhart | $125,944 |
| 36 | Crown Point | $125,939 |
| 37 | Shelbyville | $125,901 |
| 38 | Brownsburg | $125,139 |
| 39 | Avon | $124,252 |
| 40 | Goshen | $124,165 |
| 41 | Munster | $121,627 |
| 42 | Lafayette | $97,020 |
| 43 | West Lafayette | $95,503 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Indiana?
How does Indiana veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Indiana?
How many veterinarians are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana 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 Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 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