Veterinarian Salary in Columbus, MS: $110,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Columbus, MS earns a median $110,673/year (≈ $53.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $129,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Columbus, Mississippi, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $110,673, which reflects a significant variance when compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary spectrum for veterinarians in this region ranges from $64,191 at the 10th percentile to $168,462 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market for specialized skills. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight a competitive pay structure that rewards board-certified specialists in veterinary surgery, internal medicine, and emergency critical care particularly well. Given the concentration of veterinary services available in Columbus, this pay scale hints at the growing demand for specialized veterinary care within the region.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,191 | $30.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,953 | $44.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,673 | $53.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,326 | $65.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,462 | $81.00 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,271 (2026 est.). At $110,673, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Veterinarian Pay Compares
Columbus median: $110,673/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $117,738 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -19.41% less |
Veterinarians in Columbus, MS earn a median of $110,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $117,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $110,673 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,929
2025 BLS Actual
$104,844
2026 Current Est.
$110,673
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,929 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,983 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,885 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,214 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,979 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,528 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,844 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,827 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $76,929 (2019) to $104,844 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,827 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,898 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $64,191 – $91,953 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,953 – $110,673 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,673 – $135,326 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,326 – $168,462 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Columbus
In Columbus, six veterinarians are employed, reflecting a niche market with limited but specialized opportunities. The area's cost of living index stands at 85.7, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further here than in many national urban centers. Corporate clinics such as VCA and BluePearl are among the highest-paying employers, alongside independent practices seeking to attract talent through competitive compensation structures. Variability in salaries often arises from board certification levels and practice ownership stakes, with specialists frequently seeing pay multiples that general practitioners cannot match. To maximize earnings in Columbus, veterinarians should consider bolstering their credentials through specialty board certifications and exploring opportunities in mixed or large animal practices, which can offer additional revenue avenues. Understanding the compensation dynamics in the city can empower professionals to strategically navigate their career paths, making informed decisions about employment choices in this evolving veterinary landscape.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
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 $104,844 for veterinariansin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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