Veterinarian Salary in Rochester, MN: $137,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Rochester, MN earns a median $137,228/year (≈ $65.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $151,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, veterinarians can expect a median annual salary of $137,228 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334 for the same year, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $87,266 at the 10th percentile to $220,747 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization among veterinarians. Those with specialty board certifications, such as in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care, have the potential to earn significantly more, which speaks to the competitive nature of the job market for veterinarians in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,266 | $41.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,623 | $50.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,228 | $65.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,959 | $79.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,747 | $106.13 |
Median Salary Position
0.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,481 (2026 est.). At $137,228, the local median is 0.08% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Veterinarian Pay Compares
Rochester median: $137,228/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.08% less |
Veterinarians in Rochester, MN earn a median of $137,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% lower than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $137,228 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,097 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,380
2025 BLS Actual
$130,000
2026 Current Est.
$137,228
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,858 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $95,380 (2019) to $130,000 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,858 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,478 (51.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $87,266 – $105,623 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,623 – $137,228 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,228 – $164,959 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,959 – $220,747 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Rochester
Analyzing the local job market, Rochester employs approximately 70 veterinarians, indicating steady demand within a city that maintains a lower cost of living index at 90.821 compared to the national average. This index suggests a relatively favorable purchasing power for veterinarians, allowing them to maximize their earnings. Among various employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl are significant players, accounting for about 25% of the market, and often offer higher salaries and substantial benefits compared to independent practices. Factors such as specialty certifications, production-based compensation models, and ownership stakes influence the wide pay distribution among veterinarians in Rochester. For those looking to enhance their earnings, seeking roles in specialty hospitals or large animal practices, negotiating for sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000, or pursuing further qualifications can be effective strategies to increase veterinarian pay in Rochester, MN.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $130,000 for veterinariansin the Rochester 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