Veterinarian Salary in Mississippi: $111,256 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $111,256/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $129,820 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($110,440), Tupelo ($110,414), Madison ($109,972).
In Mississippi, the average median salary for veterinarians is projected to be $111,256 in 2026, which is 19.0% below the national median of $137,334. The disparity in pay across the state varies, with Pearl leading at $116,580 and Clinton lagging at $108,213. The salary difference between these cities can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the population density of pet owners. Mississippi requires veterinarians to become licensed by passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and meeting state-specific requirements. The state has an adequate scope of practice that allows veterinarians a comprehensive range of responsibilities, but regional demand for veterinary services is a significant driver of job opportunities. With a projected growth rate of 5.56% for veterinarians, the job market in Mississippi appears to be on an upward trajectory, ensuring consistent demand for professionals in this field. The top cities expected for veterinarian salaries include Tupelo at $116,553, Madison at $116,086, Southaven at $115,777, and Horn Lake at $115,301. These figures reflect Mississippi's unique economic landscape and the critical role veterinarians play in animal health across the state.
Mississippi Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $64,191 (lowest entry-level) to $180,700 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi veterinarians earn 18.99% less than the national median ($-26,078/year difference).
Mississippi Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Mississippi range from $71,472 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $171,858 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $111,256. The Mississippi median is $26,078 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $53.49/hr. Approximately 310 veterinarians are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,212
2025 BLS Actual
$105,396
2026 Current Est.
$111,256
2019–2027 Growth
+69.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,212 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,544 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,689 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,674 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,256 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,442 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 52.3% from $69,212 (2019) to $105,396 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,442 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,230 (69.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $108,213 |
| Laurel | $108,850 |
| Jackson | $110,194 |
| Gulfport | $110,257 |
| Hattiesburg | $110,447 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $116,580 | 85.7 | $136,033 |
| Tupelo | $116,553 | 85.7 | $136,001 |
| Madison | $116,086 | 85.7 | $135,456 |
| Southaven | $115,777 | 85.7 | $135,096 |
| Horn Lake | $115,301 | 85.7 | $134,540 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,472 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $111,256 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $171,858 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $116,580 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $116,553 |
| 3 | Madison | $116,086 |
| 4 | Southaven | $115,777 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $115,301 |
| 6 | Starkville | $114,452 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $113,001 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $113,001 |
| 9 | Oxford | $112,287 |
| 10 | Brandon | $112,169 |
| 11 | Meridian | $111,575 |
| 12 | Biloxi | $111,559 |
| 13 | Olive Branch | $111,356 |
| 14 | Hernando | $110,797 |
| 15 | Columbus | $110,673 |
| 16 | Hattiesburg | $110,447 |
| 17 | Gulfport | $110,257 |
| 18 | Jackson | $110,194 |
| 19 | Laurel | $108,850 |
| 20 | Clinton | $108,213 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Mississippi?
How many veterinarians are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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