Veterinarian Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $105,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $105,940/year (≈ $50.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $123,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the projected annual compensation for veterinarians is estimated at $105,940 for 2026, which is considerably lower than the national median of $137,334. The salary range in this area varies widely, from a lower percentile of $65,711 to an upper extreme of $176,739, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the profession. These figures derive from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating a production-based compensation model where earnings can significantly fluctuate based on generated revenue. By understanding the regional market dynamics, veterinarians can better navigate their expectations in Cape Girardeau's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,711 | $31.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,973 | $47.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,940 | $50.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,761 | $65.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,739 | $84.97 |
Median Salary Position
22.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,028 (2026 est.). At $105,940, the local median is 22.86% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $105,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $108,434 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -22.86% less |
Veterinarians in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $105,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.86% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.30% below the Missouri state average of $108,434.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.078 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $105,940 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $123,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% 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
$73,638
2025 BLS Actual
$100,360
2026 Current Est.
$105,940
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,638 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,562 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $73,638 (2019) to $100,360 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,192 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $65,711 – $98,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,973 – $105,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,940 – $135,761 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,761 – $176,739 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cape Girardeau
With 30 veterinarians currently employed in Cape Girardeau, the local job market demonstrates a modest concentration of professionals in the field. The cost-of-living index, at 86.078, suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power for residents can be relatively favorable. Among local employers, opportunities within corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl often yield higher compensation than independent practices, driven by differing operational costs and structures. Factors influencing salary disparities include specialized training in areas like surgery or internal medicine, production-based pay, and sign-on bonuses which can range between $50,000 and $150,000 in shortage areas. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Cape Girardeau, leveraging specialty certifications and exploring roles in corporate settings or community-focused practices may prove advantageous.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Cape Girardeau, MO in 2026?
Is Cape Girardeau, MO a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Cape Girardeau?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Cape Girardeau?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Cape Girardeau?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $100,360 for veterinariansin the Cape Girardeau 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, 5-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