Veterinarian Salary in Ridgeland, MS: $113,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Ridgeland, MS earns a median $113,001/year (≈ $54.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Ridgeland's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $131,856 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $113,001 for veterinarians in 2026, Ridgeland, MS, offers competitive compensation compared to the national average. The local salary range spans from $67,926 at the 10th percentile to $172,583 at the 90th, reflecting significant variance based on skill sets and practice types. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, indicating that while veterinarians in the area earn less than the national median of $137,334, the local job market is on an upward trajectory with a growth rate of 5.56%. This suggests a steady demand for veterinary services in Ridgeland, aligning with the industry-wide trend of integrating production-based compensation models within corporate and independent practices alike.
About the Ridgeland Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,926 | $32.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,279 | $45.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,001 | $54.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,445 | $66.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,583 | $82.97 |
Median Salary Position
17.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ridgeland
In Ridgeland, MS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,657 (2026 est.). At $113,001, the local median is 17.72% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Ridgeland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ridgeland Veterinarian Pay Compares
Ridgeland median: $113,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ridgeland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $117,709 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -17.72% less |
Veterinarians in Ridgeland, MS earn a median of $113,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.72% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.00% below the Mississippi state average of $117,709.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ridgeland 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.
Ridgeland, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $113,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,856 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,546
2025 BLS Actual
$107,049
2026 Current Est.
$113,001
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Ridgeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,546 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,587 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,054 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,284 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ridgeland metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $78,546 (2019) to $107,049 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,284 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,738 (51.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ridgeland 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) | $67,926 – $94,279 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,279 – $113,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,001 – $138,445 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,445 – $172,583 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Ridgeland
In Ridgeland, the local job market for veterinarians is modest, with only five veterinarians currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 85.7, below the national average, which boosts the effective take-home pay for practitioners. Among local employers, small animal companion clinics, especially corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, command higher pay, making up about 25% of the market. Those wishing to maximize their earnings might consider specializing in fields such as surgery or internal medicine, as board certification can significantly enhance earning potential. Furthermore, understanding the nuances of compensation—such as production incentives, ownership stakes, or available sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in high-demand areas—will be crucial for those entering the profession in Ridgeland. Creative strategies, including networking and seeking positions with corporate clinics, can provide pathways to not only navigate but also grow within the veterinary field.
More salary data for Ridgeland, 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 $107,049 for veterinariansin the Ridgeland 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 Ridgeland 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