Veterinarian Salary in Salem, NH: $143,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Salem, NH earns a median $143,801/year (≈ $69.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $134,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Salem, New Hampshire, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $143,801, slightly above the national median of $137,334. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $83,405 and experienced practitioners earning up to $222,892. This impressive compensation reflects the local job market's demand for skilled veterinarians, influenced by the structural divide between corporate and independent practice settings. Corporations often provide different compensation packages compared to independent clinics, which can affect salary averages and overall job opportunities in the region.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,405 | $40.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,878 | $52.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,801 | $69.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,473 | $86.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,892 | $107.16 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,487 (2026 est.). At $143,801, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Veterinarian Pay Compares
Salem median: $143,801/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $147,337 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +4.71% more |
Veterinarians in Salem, NH earn a median of $143,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $147,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,801 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,018 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,956
2025 BLS Actual
$136,227
2026 Current Est.
$143,801
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,956 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,924 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,097 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,709 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,227 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,797 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $99,956 (2019) to $136,227 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,797 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,841 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $83,405 – $109,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,878 – $143,801 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,801 – $179,473 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,473 – $222,892 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Salem
Analyzing the local job market reveals 8 veterinarians currently practicing in Salem, NH, amidst a cost of living index of 107.3. This higher-than-average cost of living places additional pressure on take-home salaries, making it essential for veterinary professionals to consider compensation strategies that enhance their financial outlook. Among various employment options, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl offer competitive pay while representing approximately 25% of the market, but independent practices often prioritize work-life balance and professional autonomy. Factors contributing to the spread in salaries range from specialty board certifications in surgery or internal medicine to production-based compensation models, ownership equity, and lucrative sign-on bonuses, which currently range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in fields experiencing shortages. To maximize pay in the Salem market, aspiring veterinarians should consider specializing and exploring the benefits of corporate positions while staying attuned to shifts in local demand for veterinary services.
More salary data for Salem, 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 $136,227 for veterinariansin the Salem 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 Salem 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