Veterinarian Salary in Needham, MA: $139,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Needham, MA earns a median $139,939/year (≈ $67.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Needham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $128,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Needham, Massachusetts, veterinarians command a median annual salary of $139,939, positioning them slightly above the national median of $137,334 for 2026. The salary range here spans significantly from $81,164 at the lower end (P10) to $216,905 at the upper tier (P90), indicating a robust earning potential based heavily on revenue generation within veterinary practices. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reflect the growing demand for veterinary professionals in the area. As the job market matures, the effective compensation models are being influenced by factors such as corporate consolidation, underscoring the competitive nature of veterinary pay in Needham.
About the Needham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,164 | $39.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,072 | $51.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,939 | $67.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,737 | $84.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,905 | $104.28 |
Median Salary Position
1.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Needham
In Needham, MA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,741 (2026 est.). At $139,939, the local median is 1.9% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Needham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Needham Veterinarian Pay Compares
Needham median: $139,939/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Needham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $142,359 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.90% more |
Veterinarians in Needham, MA earn a median of $139,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.90% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $142,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Needham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Needham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,939 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,976 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,271
2025 BLS Actual
$132,568
2026 Current Est.
$139,939
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,271 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,133 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,274 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,359 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,379 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,568 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Needham metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $97,271 (2019) to $132,568 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,448 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham 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) | $81,164 – $108,072 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,072 – $139,939 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,939 – $175,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,737 – $216,905 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Needham
While six veterinarians are currently employed in Needham, the local job market presents an interesting dynamic influenced by cost-of-living factors, with an index of 108.5 indicating a higher-than-average expense. This reality can impact the take-home purchasing power for veterinary professionals, especially when considering employment at corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl, which represent about 25% of the local market. The spread in compensation levels reflects various drivers, including specialty board certifications in fields like surgery or internal medicine, as well as the production-based compensation structure prevalent in corporate environments. To maximize earnings in Needham, aspiring veterinarians should consider seeking employment in specialty practices or corporate settings that offer lucrative sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, particularly in underserved areas.
More salary data for Needham, 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 $132,568 for veterinariansin the Needham 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 Needham 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