Veterinarian Salary in Nevada: $132,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nevada's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $132,430/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Nevada sits at BEA RPP 98.3 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $134,720 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sparks ($129,027), Las Vegas ($125,640), Reno ($125,530).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in Nevada is projected to be $132,430, which is approximately 3.6% lower than the national median of $137,334. The highest-paying city is Sparks, with a salary of $136,201, while Fernley offers the lowest at $124,782, revealing a significant gap of $11,419 between these locations. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including regional demand for veterinary services, cost of living, and the concentration of pet ownership. Licensing requirements in Nevada include passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and meeting state-specific criteria, which can influence the job market. The state's scope of practice laws also define the roles that veterinarians can play in animal care, impacting job responsibilities and compensation. Currently, there are 805 employed veterinarians in Nevada, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%, indicating a steady increase in demand for veterinary services. Top cities for veterinarians in 2026 are projected to be Sparks at $136,201, Las Vegas at $132,626, Reno at $132,509, North Las Vegas at $132,068, and Carson City at $131,558. This data suggests a favorable job market outlook for those considering a veterinary career in Nevada.
Nevada Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nevada: $73,633 (lowest entry-level) to $211,112 (highest top earner)
Nevada vs National Average
Nevada veterinarians earn 3.57% less than the national median ($-4,904/year difference).
Nevada Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Nevada range from $98,610 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $197,400 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,430. The Nevada median is $4,904 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $63.67/hr. Approximately 805 veterinarians are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$92,598
2025 BLS Actual
$125,455
2026 Current Est.
$132,430
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Nevada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,598 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,799 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,011 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,455 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,793 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nevada metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 35.5% from $92,598 (2019) to $125,455 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,793 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,195 (50.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nevada 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nevada
Lowest Paying Cities in Nevada
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fernley | $124,782 |
| Elko | $126,315 |
| Mesquite | $126,955 |
| Henderson | $131,389 |
| Carson City | $131,558 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Nevada
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nevada cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparks | $136,201 | 98.3 | $138,556 |
| North Las Vegas | $132,068 | 98.3 | $134,352 |
| Carson City | $131,558 | 98.3 | $133,833 |
| Henderson | $131,389 | 98.3 | $133,661 |
| Las Vegas | $132,626 | 100.215 | $132,341 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nevada
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $98,610 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,430 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $197,400 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nevada metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Nevada
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sparks | $136,201 |
| 2 | Las Vegas | $132,626 |
| 3 | Reno | $132,509 |
| 4 | North Las Vegas | $132,068 |
| 5 | Carson City | $131,558 |
| 6 | Henderson | $131,389 |
| 7 | Mesquite | $126,955 |
| 8 | Elko | $126,315 |
| 9 | Fernley | $124,782 |
More Nevada Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Nevada in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Nevada?
How does Nevada veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Nevada?
How many veterinarians are employed in Nevada?
Which Nevada city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Nevada. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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