Veterinarian Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $166,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Minneapolis, MN earns a median $166,996/year (≈ $80.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Minneapolis's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.8), that paycheck buys what $159,314 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.7% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Minneapolis, the projected veterinarian salary in 2026 is $166,996, reflecting a significant premium compared to the national median of $137,334. This local compensation range stretches from $91,373 at the 10th percentile up to $230,997 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. While veterinarians here can expect competitive pay, those with specialized board certifications in areas such as surgery or internal medicine will see considerably higher wages, illustrating the financial benefits of advanced training. As corporate consolidation continues in the veterinary field, the prevailing compensation trends signal a robust demand for skilled professionals equipped to provide specialized care, particularly within the city’s growing network of veterinary facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,373 | $43.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,720 | $61.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,996 | $80.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,858 | $85.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,997 | $111.06 |
Median Salary Position
21.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, MN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,624 (2026 est.). At $166,996, the local median is 21.6% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Minneapolis: You'd be above the median
How Minneapolis Veterinarian Pay Compares
Minneapolis median: $166,996/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minneapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $137,219 | +21.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +21.60% more |
Veterinarians in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $166,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.60% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 21.70% above the Minnesota state average of $137,219.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minneapolis has a cost of living 4.82% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minneapolis, MN has a cost-of-living index of 104.822 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,996 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $159,314 — a 4.6% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,460
2025 BLS Actual
$158,200
2026 Current Est.
$166,996
2019–2027 Growth
+84.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,281 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 65.7% from $95,460 (2019) to $158,200 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,281 by 2027 — a total increase of $80,821 (84.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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) | $91,373 – $128,720 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,720 – $166,996 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,996 – $177,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,858 – $230,997 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Minneapolis
With approximately 1,470 veterinarians employed in the Minneapolis area, the local job market demonstrates strong demand for veterinary services. Although the cost of living in Minneapolis, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 104.822, is above the national average, veterinarians still enjoy an advantageous purchasing power due to their relatively high salaries. Corporate practices, such as those affiliated with VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, now constitute about 25% of the market, often offering the highest wages compared to independent practices. Factors influencing salary disparities include not only specialty certifications but also production-based compensation models, which can reward veterinarians for a percentage of their revenue generation. Additionally, the current recruitments are incentivized by sign-on bonuses, sometimes ranging between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates, further illustrating the evolving dynamics that affect how much do veterinarians make in Minneapolis. To maximize earning potential, veterinary professionals should consider focusing on specialized fields, exploring diverse employment settings, and negotiating compensation packages that reflect their skills and market demand.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
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 $158,200 for veterinariansin the Minneapolis 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