Veterinarian Salary in Maryland: $165,805 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $165,805/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $151,697 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($165,869), Baltimore ($162,930), Towson ($162,298).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in Maryland is projected to be $165,805, which is 20.7% higher than the national median of $137,334. The disparity in salaries across cities is significant; Columbia leads with an average of $175,091, while Cumberland offers the lowest at $138,937, resulting in a salary gap of $36,154. Factors contributing to this difference include the cost of living, demand for veterinary services in urban versus rural areas, and the density of pet ownership. Maryland's veterinary professionals must navigate specific state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws, which can impact their ability to offer services. The demand for veterinarians in the state is bolstered by a population that values pet care and preventive services, as well as a growing trend of pet ownership among residents. The job market for veterinarians shows a promising outlook, with a forecasted annual growth rate of 5.56%. With a total employment figure of 1,045 veterinarians, it indicates a healthy demand for practitioners in various regions. Major metropolitan areas such as Baltimore and Towson also offer competitive salaries of $171,989 and $171,322, respectively, further emphasizing the strong potential for career advancement in Maryland.
Maryland Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $82,430 (lowest entry-level) to $271,392 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland veterinarians earn 20.73% more than the national median (+$28,471/year difference).
Maryland Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Maryland range from $103,752 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $225,844 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $165,805. The Maryland median is $28,471 above the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $79.71/hr. Approximately 1,045 veterinarians are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$107,058
2025 BLS Actual
$157,072
2026 Current Est.
$165,805
2019–2027 Growth
+63.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,058 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,853 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,645 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,667 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,791 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,395 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,072 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,805 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,024 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 46.7% from $107,058 (2019) to $157,072 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,024 by 2027 — a total increase of $67,966 (63.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cumberland | $138,937 |
| Greenbelt | $142,121 |
| Laurel | $142,592 |
| Catonsville | $143,314 |
| Odenton | $144,489 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $168,885 | 100.76 | $167,611 |
| Baltimore | $171,989 | 104.487 | $164,603 |
| Columbia | $175,091 | 109.3 | $160,193 |
| Towson | $171,322 | 109.3 | $156,745 |
| Aspen Hill | $152,189 | 109.3 | $139,240 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $103,752 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $165,805 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $225,844 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $175,091 |
| 2 | Baltimore | $171,989 |
| 3 | Towson | $171,322 |
| 4 | Lexington Park | $168,885 |
| 5 | Aspen Hill | $152,189 |
| 6 | Gaithersburg | $151,202 |
| 7 | Germantown | $151,094 |
| 8 | Ellicott City | $150,750 |
| 9 | Waldorf | $150,595 |
| 10 | Wheaton | $150,084 |
| 11 | Bowie | $149,371 |
| 12 | Glen Burnie | $148,907 |
| 13 | Frederick | $146,851 |
| 14 | Annapolis | $146,819 |
| 15 | Severn | $146,815 |
| 16 | College Park | $146,528 |
| 17 | Rockville | $146,340 |
| 18 | Silver Spring | $146,268 |
| 19 | Salisbury | $145,993 |
| 20 | Potomac | $145,573 |
| 21 | Hagerstown | $145,177 |
| 22 | Bethesda | $144,985 |
| 23 | Dundalk | $144,985 |
| 24 | Odenton | $144,489 |
| 25 | Catonsville | $143,314 |
| 26 | Laurel | $142,592 |
| 27 | Greenbelt | $142,121 |
| 28 | Cumberland | $138,937 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Maryland?
How does Maryland veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Maryland?
How many veterinarians are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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, 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