Veterinarian Salary in Lawrence, MA: $138,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lawrence, MA earns a median $138,899/year (≈ $66.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $128,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a veterinarian in Lawrence, Massachusetts can expect to earn a median annual salary of $138,899, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $137,334. The salary range is diverse, spanning from $81,666 at the 10th percentile to as much as $215,294 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for significant income variation based on experience, specialization, and practice type. These figures, established through estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the strong demand and value for veterinarians in this area. As Lawrence continues to develop in the veterinary field, professionally certified specialists, particularly in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care, are likely to command higher salaries, further enticing prospective veterinarians to the market.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,666 | $39.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,342 | $52.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,899 | $66.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,790 | $85.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,294 | $103.50 |
Median Salary Position
1.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, MA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,628 (2026 est.). At $138,899, the local median is 1.14% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $138,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $142,461 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.14% more |
Veterinarians in Lawrence, MA earn a median of $138,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.14% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $142,461.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,899 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,018 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,548
2025 BLS Actual
$131,583
2026 Current Est.
$138,899
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,548 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,381 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,514 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,437 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $96,548 (2019) to $131,583 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,074 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $81,666 – $109,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,342 – $138,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,899 – $177,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,790 – $215,294 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lawrence
When analyzing the veterinarian pay in Lawrence, MA, it’s evident that the local job market remains robust, with 16 veterinarians currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index at 108.5 suggests that although salaries may appear attractive, actual purchasing power may be constrained compared to national averages. Larger corporate veterinary practices, such as VCA and BluePearl, dominate roughly 25% of the market and often offer competitive salaries driven by production-based compensation models, while independent practices and specialty hospitals may provide varied pay structures. It's essential for incoming veterinarians to remember that those with specialty board certifications generally achieve significantly higher earnings. To maximize their pay in Lawrence, veterinarians should focus on pursuing additional certifications, considering practice ownership for equity opportunities, and negotiating robust compensation packages, including sign-on bonuses which currently range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in shortage areas.
More salary data for Lawrence, MA:
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 $131,583 for veterinariansin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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