Veterinarian Salary in Salem, MA: $137,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Salem, MA earns a median $137,231/year (≈ $65.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Salem's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $126,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Salem, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $137,231, closely aligning with the national median of $137,334 for that year. The salary range reflects significant variability, with the lower end around $84,902 and the upper end reaching $212,709. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level estimates, adjusted for regional cost trends, indicating a healthy job market for the profession. Factors influencing compensation in Salem will include specialty board certifications such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care; veterinarians with these credentials often command higher premiums, making it a competitive field for those pursuing advanced training.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,902 | $40.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,091 | $53.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,231 | $65.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,211 | $81.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,709 | $102.27 |
Median Salary Position
0.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, MA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,807 (2026 est.). At $137,231, the local median is 0.07% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Veterinarian Pay Compares
Salem median: $137,231/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $142,356 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.07% less |
Veterinarians in Salem, MA earn a median of $137,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.07% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $142,356.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,231 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,480 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,389
2025 BLS Actual
$130,003
2026 Current Est.
$137,231
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,389 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,176 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,295 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,183 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,011 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,003 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $95,389 (2019) to $130,003 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,472 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $84,902 – $111,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,091 – $137,231 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,231 – $169,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,211 – $212,709 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Salem
The local veterinarian job market in Salem consists of just eight practitioners, indicating a tight-knit community with potential challenges for new graduates. The cost of living index for Salem is 108.5, which signifies higher-than-average expenses compared to national averages, affecting take-home pay and purchasing power. Among Salem's veterinary practices, corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl typically offer some of the highest salaries due to their production-based compensation model and available sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in sought-after areas. This spread between lower and higher pay hinges on various factors: practitioners holding specialty certifications generally earn more, while those in mixed or equine practices may see lower financial rewards. For veterinarians looking to maximize their income in Salem, pursuing specialty training or exploring opportunities with corporate practices might be advantageous strategies to enhance earnings while navigating the complexities of compensation structures in the field.
More salary data for Salem, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $130,003 for veterinariansin the Salem 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 Salem 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