Veterinarian Salary in Houma, LA: $127,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Houma, LA earns a median $127,128/year (≈ $61.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Houma's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $140,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Houma, Louisiana, can expect a median annual salary of $127,128 in 2026, placing them slightly below the national average, which is projected at $137,334. The salary range for the role varies significantly, with lower earners making around $79,120 and top professionals reaching up to $197,049. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the local economic landscape and regional price parities, illustrating how much do veterinarians make in Houma in relation to their generated revenue. The compensation structure in the area can often hinge on practice ownership, corporate affiliation, and specialty certifications, showcasing a competitive but varied job market for veterinarians.
About the Houma Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,532 | $49.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,128 | $61.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,281 | $75.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,049 | $94.74 |
Median Salary Position
7.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,929 (2026 est.). At $127,128, the local median is 7.43% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houma Veterinarian Pay Compares
Houma median: $127,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $131,331 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -7.43% less |
Veterinarians in Houma, LA earn a median of $127,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.43% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% below the Louisiana state average of $131,331.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $127,128 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,784 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$141,180
2025 BLS Actual
$120,432
2026 Current Est.
$127,128
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,875 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,911 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,249 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,118 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,432 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,196 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew -14.7% from $141,180 (2019) to $120,432 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,984 (-4.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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) | $79,120 – $103,532 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,532 – $127,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,128 – $157,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,281 – $197,049 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Houma
In Houma, the local job market comprises only six veterinarians, highlighting a tight-knit field where competition for skilled professionals is essential. The cost of living index sits notably lower at 90.3, suggesting that while salaries may not match national averages, housing and general expenses are comparatively less burdensome, thus affecting take-home pay. Larger corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl capture approximately 25% of this market, typically offering higher pay scales than independent practices, particularly for associates. Factors such as specialty board certification in areas like surgery and internal medicine can lead to significantly higher earnings, while signs of demand include lucrative sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in underserved areas. With corporate compensation models increasingly dominating the landscape, aligning with a well-established practice or expanding one's skills in high-demand specialties can be effective strategies for maximizing veterinarian pay in Houma, LA.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $120,432 for veterinariansin the Houma 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
Salary data for Houma is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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