Veterinarian Salary in Meridian, MS: $111,575 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Meridian, MS earns a median $111,575/year (≈ $53.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $130,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Meridian, Mississippi can expect a median annual salary of $111,575 in 2026, reflecting a significant differential when compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for local veterinarians spans from approximately $66,084 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $172,941 for those in the 90th percentile, as projected from recent estimates based on 2025 BLS data. Specialization can further elevate earnings, particularly for those who achieve board certification in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care, as the local job market continues to respond to the increasing demand for specialized veterinary services. Understanding these figures is essential for professionals considering a career path in this field within Meridian.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,084 | $31.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,126 | $42.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,575 | $53.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,654 | $67.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,941 | $83.15 |
Median Salary Position
18.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, MS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,857 (2026 est.). At $111,575, the local median is 18.76% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Veterinarian Pay Compares
Meridian median: $111,575/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $117,695 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -18.76% less |
Veterinarians in Meridian, MS earn a median of $111,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.76% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $117,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian 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.
Meridian, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $111,575 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,555
2025 BLS Actual
$105,698
2026 Current Est.
$111,575
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,555 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,634 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,544 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,892 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,698 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,575 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,778 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $77,555 (2019) to $105,698 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,778 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,223 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $66,084 – $88,126 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,126 – $111,575 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,575 – $139,654 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,654 – $172,941 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Meridian
In terms of the overall employment landscape, Meridian currently employs a modest number of veterinary professionals—only seven veterinarians are recorded in the area. The cost of living, with an index of 85.7, is considerably lower than the national average, enhancing the effective purchasing power of veterinarians' salaries. Large animal and mixed practices, along with independent clinics, are key players in the local market, while corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl account for roughly 25% of the sector. The variation in veterinarian pay in Meridian is influenced by factors such as specialty certification, production-based compensation models, and practice ownership. New graduates can leverage sign-on bonuses, which may range from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas, making it imperative to align career goals with market demands to maximize earning potential. Understanding these dynamics can aid veterinarians in negotiating desirable compensation packages in Meridian's evolving job environment.
More salary data for Meridian, 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 $105,698 for veterinariansin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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