Veterinarian Salary in Tupelo, MS: $116,553 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Tupelo, MS earns a median $116,553/year (≈ $56.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Tupelo's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $136,001 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tupelo, Mississippi, the projected 2026 median annual salary for veterinarians stands at $116,553, which reflects a 15.13% lower figure compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for local veterinarians spans from $67,601 at the 10th percentile to $180,657 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight a notable disparity in earnings. A significant contributor to this divide is the structural differentiation between corporate and independent veterinary practices, where corporate entities, although accounting for roughly 25% of the market, often offer more competitive compensation packages. As the veterinary landscape continues to evolve, understanding these pay dynamics will be crucial for professionals strategizing their careers in Tupelo.
About the Tupelo Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,601 | $32.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,658 | $45.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,553 | $56.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,915 | $69.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,657 | $86.85 |
Median Salary Position
15.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tupelo
In Tupelo, MS, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,056 (2026 est.). At $116,553, the local median is 15.13% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tupelo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tupelo Veterinarian Pay Compares
Tupelo median: $116,553/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tupelo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $117,730 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -15.13% less |
Veterinarians in Tupelo, MS earn a median of $116,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the Mississippi state average of $117,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tupelo 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.
Tupelo, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $116,553 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,001 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,016
2025 BLS Actual
$110,414
2026 Current Est.
$116,553
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Tupelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,016 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,232 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,183 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,635 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,078 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,381 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,414 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,553 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tupelo metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $81,016 (2019) to $110,414 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,017 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tupelo 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) | $67,601 – $95,658 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,658 – $116,553 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,553 – $144,915 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,915 – $180,657 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Tupelo
The employment landscape for veterinarians in Tupelo features only seven positions, indicating a tightly-knit job market. With a cost of living index below the national average at 85.7, veterinarians may find that their salaries provide a more favorable purchasing power compared to other locations. The highest-paying roles are often associated with corporate practices, where production-based compensation and benefits can enhance earnings, especially for specialists holding board certifications in areas like surgery or internal medicine. Moreover, new graduates should consider potential sign-on bonuses ranging between $50,000 and $150,000 in rural areas facing shortages. Those looking to maximize their earning potential in Tupelo should focus on seeking opportunities in specialty hospitals or corporate practices while also exploring avenues for practice ownership to capitalize on equity and production-based compensation models.
More salary data for Tupelo, 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 $110,414 for veterinariansin the Tupelo 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 Tupelo 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