Veterinarian Salary in Rochester, NH: $141,846 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Rochester, NH earns a median $141,846/year (≈ $68.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $132,196 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in Rochester, NH, can expect a median annual salary of $141,846 in 2026, a figure that exceeds the national median of $137,334 by approximately 3.29%. This projected salary represents a range spanning from $87,681 at the 10th percentile to $219,861 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse earning potentials influenced by factors like experience and specialty. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which indicates that competition can drive compensation higher in this area. As Rochester continues to develop its veterinary services, the revenue generated will increasingly dictate how veterinarians are compensated, highlighting the importance of business acumen in the practice.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,681 | $42.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,634 | $55.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,846 | $68.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,957 | $86.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,861 | $105.71 |
Median Salary Position
3.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,180 (2026 est.). At $141,846, the local median is 3.29% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Veterinarian Pay Compares
Rochester median: $141,846/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $147,296 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +3.29% more |
Veterinarians in Rochester, NH earn a median of $141,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.70% below the New Hampshire state average of $147,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,846 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,196 — a 6.8% reduction.
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
$98,597
2025 BLS Actual
$134,375
2026 Current Est.
$141,846
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,597 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,511 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,014 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,074 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $98,597 (2019) to $134,375 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,136 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $87,681 – $114,634 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,634 – $141,846 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,846 – $179,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,957 – $219,861 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Rochester
With only seven veterinarians currently employed in Rochester, NH, the local market shows a relatively tight job landscape. The cost of living index, at 107.3, suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must stretch to meet expenses relative to the national average. Among various employers, corporate animal hospitals like VCA and BluePearl typically offer the highest salaries, rewarding their practitioners with more structured compensation models. In contrast, independent practices may provide less due to overhead constraints but can lead to more significant ownership opportunities. Factors such as specialty board certifications and production-based pay significantly impact the wide salary range observed in the area. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, focusing on gaining certifications in specialties like surgery or internal medicine, exploring corporate opportunities, and considering sign-on bonuses can be practical strategies in Rochester's evolving veterinary practice landscape.
More salary data for Rochester, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Rochester, NH in 2026?
Is Rochester, NH a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Rochester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Rochester?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Rochester?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Hampshire
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 $134,375 for veterinariansin the Rochester 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 Rochester 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