Veterinarian Salary in Northfield, MN: $131,022 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Northfield, MN earns a median $131,022/year (≈ $62.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Northfield's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $133,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Northfield, Minnesota, the projected median annual veterinarian salary for 2026 is set at $131,022, which falls below the national average of $137,334. This salary reflects a broader range from $77,634 at the 10th percentile to a high of $203,085 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential tied to factors such as specialty board certification in areas like surgery or internal medicine. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations suggest that veterinarians in Northfield may find their earnings impacted by specialty skills and the consolidation trends seen in the veterinary market, where corporate employers often offer different compensation packages compared to independent practices. As the local job market currently comprises just six veterinarians, competition for skilled professionals remains steady, indicating a potential for growth in both demand and salary.
About the Northfield Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,634 | $37.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,243 | $49.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,022 | $62.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,353 | $78.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,085 | $97.63 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northfield
In Northfield, MN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,451 (2026 est.). At $131,022, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Northfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Northfield Veterinarian Pay Compares
Northfield median: $131,022/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $137,196 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.60% less |
Veterinarians in Northfield, MN earn a median of $131,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.50% below the Minnesota state average of $137,196.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northfield has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Northfield, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $131,022 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,073
2025 BLS Actual
$124,121
2026 Current Est.
$131,022
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Northfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,073 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,689 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,757 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,514 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,627 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,022 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northfield metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,073 (2019) to $124,121 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,234 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northfield 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) | $77,634 – $103,243 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,243 – $131,022 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,022 – $162,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,353 – $203,085 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Northfield
Veterinarians working in Northfield face a cost of living index of 98.5, which is slightly below the national average. This translates to a reasonable purchasing power for those earning a veterinarian pay in Northfield, MN, especially when compared to other regions. While independent practices make up a portion of the local market, corporate veterinary groups, such as VCA and BluePearl, account for about 25% of employment in the area, typically offering higher salaries and additional benefits. The disparity between pay rates often correlates with specialty board certifications and the influence of corporate consolidation, where production-based compensation models can lead to varying income levels. For maximizing their pay, veterinarians may benefit from pursuing specialized certifications or considering roles in larger corporate practices, where recent graduates can also find sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, reflecting the demand for qualified professionals in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Northfield, 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 $124,121 for veterinariansin the Northfield 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 Northfield 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