Veterinarian Salary in Monroe, LA: $123,927 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Monroe, LA earns a median $123,927/year (≈ $59.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.6), that paycheck buys what $148,243 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Veterinarians in Monroe, Louisiana, earn a median annual salary of $123,927, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $137,334. The projected salary range for veterinarians in the area spans from $53,012 at the 10th percentile to $168,020 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse range of compensation levels across various practices. This data, derived from BLS 2025 estimates, projected to 2026, highlights the impact of the structural divide between corporate and independent veterinary practices on local pay scales. Corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl have established a firm presence, contributing to a significantly different salary framework compared to independently owned clinics. As such, potential veterinarians must navigate these dynamics carefully while considering their career options in Monroe.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,012 | $25.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,764 | $38.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,927 | $59.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,376 | $66.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,020 | $80.79 |
Median Salary Position
9.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, LA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,008 (2026 est.). At $123,927, the local median is 9.76% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be above the median
How Monroe Veterinarian Pay Compares
Monroe median: $123,927/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $131,418 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -9.76% less |
Veterinarians in Monroe, LA earn a median of $123,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.76% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.70% below the Louisiana state average of $131,418.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe has a cost of living 16.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Monroe, LA has a cost-of-living index of 83.597 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $123,927 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,243 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,330
2025 BLS Actual
$117,400
2026 Current Est.
$123,927
2019–2027 Growth
+120.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,474 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,927 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 97.9% from $59,330 (2019) to $117,400 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $71,488 (120.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $53,012 – $80,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,764 – $123,927 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,927 – $137,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,376 – $168,020 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Monroe
With 40 veterinarians currently employed in Monroe, the job market for this profession is stable, though competitive. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 83.597, suggesting that take-home salaries will have a greater purchasing power relative to more expensive regions. Among local employers, corporate small animal practices often provide the highest salaries, particularly for roles demanding specialty board certification in fields such as surgery or internal medicine. The compensation variations stem from factors like production-based pay models, practice ownership, and potential sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates filling spots in underserved areas. To maximize salary potential in Monroe, veterinarians may consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions with corporate practices, or exploring opportunities in mixed or specialty practices where the financial rewards are typically higher.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 $117,400 for veterinariansin the Monroe 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, 5-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