Veterinarian Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $110,447 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Hattiesburg, MS earns a median $110,447/year (≈ $53.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Hattiesburg's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $126,034 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $110,447, which is notably lower than the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in the area varies widely from $64,465 at the 10th percentile to as much as $164,082 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse spectrum of compensation based on experience, specialization, and practice type. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, reflect the evolving dynamics of the veterinary sector, particularly the divide between corporate and independent practice models. In Hattiesburg, this divide significantly influences earning potential, as corporate-owned clinics typically offer structured pay scales and additional benefits that independent practices may not match.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,465 | $30.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,549 | $41.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,447 | $53.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,790 | $66.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,082 | $78.88 |
Median Salary Position
19.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, MS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,617 (2026 est.). At $110,447, the local median is 19.58% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hattiesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hattiesburg Veterinarian Pay Compares
Hattiesburg median: $110,447/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hattiesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $117,748 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -19.58% less |
Veterinarians in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $110,447 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.58% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.20% below the Mississippi state average of $117,748.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hattiesburg has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hattiesburg, MS has a cost-of-living index of 87.633 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $110,447 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $126,034 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,970
2025 BLS Actual
$104,630
2026 Current Est.
$110,447
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,447 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,588 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 27.6% from $81,970 (2019) to $104,630 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,588 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,618 (42.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg 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) | $64,465 – $86,549 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,549 – $110,447 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,447 – $138,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,790 – $164,082 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Hattiesburg
In the local job market, there are currently about 50 veterinarians employed in Hattiesburg. The cost of living index sits at 87.633, which suggests that, while salaries may trend lower than the national average, veterinarians in the area might find their purchasing power comparatively favorable. Among the types of practices, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl are positioned to pay more competitively than many independent operations, capturing roughly 25% of the market. Factors contributing to salary discrepancies include the acquisition of specialty board certifications, practice ownership, and the differing compensation structures found in corporate versus independent settings. For veterinarians seeking to maximize their pay in Hattiesburg, focusing on acquiring specialized certifications or considering employment in corporate practices could be strategic moves, especially as sign-on bonuses in high-demand areas can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
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 $104,630 for veterinariansin the Hattiesburg 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