Veterinarian Salary in Merrimack, NH: $143,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Merrimack, NH earns a median $143,619/year (≈ $69.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Merrimack's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $133,848 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Merrimack, New Hampshire, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $143,619, reflecting a competitive pay scale that surpasses the national median of $137,334 by 4.58%. The pay range for this occupation spans from $83,298 at the 10th percentile to as much as $222,609 for those at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earnings potential shaped significantly by factors such as specialty, practice ownership, and value-based revenue generation. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for local market conditions, suggests that Merrimack’s job market is robust, particularly as the corporate consolidation of veterinary practices continues to influence pay structures and working environments.
About the Merrimack Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,298 | $40.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,487 | $52.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,619 | $69.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,028 | $86.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,609 | $107.03 |
Median Salary Position
4.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merrimack
In Merrimack, NH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,311 (2026 est.). At $143,619, the local median is 4.58% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merrimack: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merrimack Veterinarian Pay Compares
Merrimack median: $143,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merrimack Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $147,301 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +4.58% more |
Veterinarians in Merrimack, NH earn a median of $143,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the New Hampshire state average of $147,301.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merrimack has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merrimack, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,619 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,848 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,829
2025 BLS Actual
$136,054
2026 Current Est.
$143,619
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Merrimack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,829 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,792 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,963 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,551 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,675 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,054 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merrimack metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $99,829 (2019) to $136,054 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,775 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merrimack 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) | $83,298 – $109,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,487 – $143,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,619 – $179,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,028 – $222,609 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Merrimack
Currently, Merrimack employs five veterinarians, indicating a niche market for professionals in the area. The cost of living index stands at 107.3, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power remains a consideration for residents. Among the various practice types in Merrimack, corporate chains such as VCA and NVA typically offer higher salaries compared to independent practices, reflecting trends in production-based compensation and potential sign-on bonuses that can reach between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas. The disparity in earnings stems from factors such as board certification in specialties like surgery or internal medicine, practice ownership equity, and the structure of corporate versus independent operations. To maximize pay in Merrimack, aspiring veterinarians should consider pursuing specialty certifications and seek roles within corporate practices or areas experiencing workforce shortages.
More salary data for Merrimack, NH:
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 $136,054 for veterinariansin the Merrimack 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 Merrimack 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