Veterinarian Salary in Maine: $136,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $136,939/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $137,489 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($130,990), South Portland ($130,429), Bangor ($127,730).
The average median salary for veterinarians in Maine in 2026 is projected to be $136,939, slightly below the national median of $137,334 by 0.3%. The highest paying city in the state, Portland, offers a salary of $138,273, while Brunswick features the lowest at $126,577, creating a salary gap of $11,696. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and regional economic conditions. Maine's licensing requirements for veterinarians mandate a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and passing the NAVLE exam, ensuring that practitioners meet high professional standards. The scope of practice laws are consistent with those in many states, allowing veterinarians to perform a range of medical and surgical procedures. The job market for veterinarians in Maine shows promise, with an expected growth rate of 5.56% annually. This growth is driven by increasing pet ownership and a greater emphasis on pet healthcare. In addition to Portland, other cities like South Portland ($137,681), Bangor ($134,832), Lewiston ($134,745), and Scarborough ($130,506) reflect strong salary offerings. Overall, the demand for skilled veterinarians in Maine remains solid, positioning the profession favorably for job seekers in the years to come.
Maine Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $74,554 (lowest entry-level) to $213,405 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine veterinarians earn 0.29% less than the national median ($-395/year difference).
Maine Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Maine range from $100,820 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $202,550 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $136,939. The Maine median is $395 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $65.84/hr. Approximately 372 veterinarians are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$113,980
2025 BLS Actual
$129,726
2026 Current Est.
$136,939
2019–2027 Growth
+26.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,238 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,041 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,185 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,326 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,211 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,726 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,552 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 13.8% from $113,980 (2019) to $129,726 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,552 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,572 (26.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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 Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $134,832 | 96.508 | $139,711 |
| South Portland | $137,681 | 99.6 | $138,234 |
| Portland | $138,273 | 101.858 | $135,751 |
| Lewiston | $134,745 | 99.6 | $135,286 |
| Scarborough | $130,506 | 99.6 | $131,030 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $100,820 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $136,939 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $202,550 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $138,273 |
| 2 | South Portland | $137,681 |
| 3 | Bangor | $134,832 |
| 4 | Lewiston | $134,745 |
| 5 | Scarborough | $130,506 |
| 6 | Biddeford | $129,416 |
| 7 | Augusta | $128,984 |
| 8 | Auburn | $128,541 |
| 9 | Sanford | $127,780 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $126,577 |
More Maine Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Maine?
How does Maine veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Maine?
How many veterinarians are employed in Maine?
Which Maine 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 Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 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