Veterinarian Salary in Laurel, MS: $108,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Laurel, MS earns a median $108,850/year (≈ $52.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $127,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Laurel, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $108,850. This figure highlights a competitive compensation landscape, especially when considering the broader salary range that spans from $67,861 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $168,718 at the highest (P90). Comparatively, this salary level is approximately 20.74% below the national median of $137,334, based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. Local estimates of compensation reflect the unique dynamics of the area, influenced by the cost of living and the limited number of practicing veterinarians, which stands at six. Understanding this context is essential for anyone evaluating veterinarian pay in Laurel, MS.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,861 | $32.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,219 | $42.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,850 | $52.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,031 | $64.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,718 | $81.11 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,857 (2026 est.). At $108,850, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Veterinarian Pay Compares
Laurel median: $108,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $117,676 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -20.74% less |
Veterinarians in Laurel, MS earn a median of $108,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $117,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel 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.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $108,850 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,013 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$75,661
2025 BLS Actual
$103,117
2026 Current Est.
$108,850
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,661 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,844 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,333 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,117 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $75,661 (2019) to $103,117 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,241 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $67,861 – $88,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,219 – $108,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,850 – $135,031 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,031 – $168,718 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Laurel
The local job market for veterinarians in Laurel features a small but stable cohort of professionals, with a notable cost-of-living index of 85.7, indicating that take-home pay offers a higher purchasing power relative to many other regions. Within the local landscape, corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate approximately 25% of the market and tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to independent practices. Factors driving the variance in compensation include specialization—such as board certification in surgery or internal medicine—which can yield significantly higher earnings. Additionally, the growing trend of production-based compensation often rewards veterinarians based on revenue generated, contributing to remuneration disparities. For those keen on maximizing their pay in Laurel, pursuing specialty certifications or exploring roles within corporate settings could provide substantial financial benefits while navigating the evolving landscape shaped by increased corporate consolidation in the veterinary field.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Laurel, MS in 2026?
Is Laurel, MS a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Laurel?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Laurel?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Laurel?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $103,117 for veterinariansin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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