Veterinarian Salary in Portland, ME: $138,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Portland, ME earns a median $138,273/year (≈ $66.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $135,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $138,273 in 2026, veterinarians in Portland, ME, experience a positive financial landscape compared to the national median of $137,334. The projected salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $107,080 and the top 90% potentially making as much as $207,594. This salary data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the growing demand for veterinary services in Portland. The market's need for specialists—particularly those board-certified in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care—further drives compensation levels upward, illustrating the premium attached to advanced qualifications in a competitive field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,080 | $51.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,680 | $62.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,273 | $66.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,519 | $81.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,594 | $99.81 |
Median Salary Position
0.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,514 (2026 est.). At $138,273, the local median is 0.68% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Veterinarian Pay Compares
Portland median: $138,273/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $136,769 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.68% more |
Veterinarians in Portland, ME earn a median of $138,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.68% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.10% above the Maine state average of $136,769.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,273 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,751 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,980
2025 BLS Actual
$130,990
2026 Current Est.
$138,273
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Portland (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 | $111,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,961 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 14.9% from $113,980 (2019) to $130,990 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,961 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,981 (28.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $107,080 – $129,680 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,680 – $138,273 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,273 – $169,519 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,519 – $207,594 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Portland
The job market in Portland currently employs approximately 280 veterinarians, a figure that highlights a solid demand for talent in the region. However, the cost of living index, standing at 101.858, poses considerations for take-home purchasing power; high earning potential must be weighed against regional expenses. Among various employers, corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA—which comprise about 25% of the market—often offer competitive contracts and benefits. The variance in earnings is influenced by factors such as specialty certifications, production-based compensation models, and opportunities for practice ownership. For veterinarians aiming to maximize their earnings, securing a specialty credential or leveraging experience for negotiation in corporate settings can prove beneficial, particularly as shortages prompt sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 $130,990 for veterinariansin the Portland 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