Veterinarian Salary in New Jersey: $158,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $158,259/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $137,378 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Atlantic City ($164,620), Jersey City ($158,830), Newark ($156,381).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in New Jersey is projected to be $158,259, surpassing the national median of $137,334 by 15.2%. The discrepancy in earnings across cities is significant, with Atlantic City leading at $173,773, while Camden offers the lowest wage at $144,059, highlighting a salary gap of $29,714. This difference is primarily driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and regional economic conditions. New Jersey's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can also impact earning potential, as stricter regulations may limit new veterinarians entering the field, thereby enhancing job security for those already established. The state is experiencing a steady growth rate of 5.56% annually, according to 2025 BLS data, indicating a strong demand for veterinary services. Key metropolitan areas contributing to this growth include Jersey City at $167,661, Newark at $165,076, Princeton at $162,047, and East Orange at $160,391. Each of these cities reflects varying local demands and operational costs that influence salary levels. Collectively, these elements paint a positive outlook for the veterinary profession in New Jersey as it continues to expand.
New Jersey Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $83,554 (lowest entry-level) to $292,011 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey veterinarians earn 15.24% more than the national median (+$20,925/year difference).
New Jersey Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in New Jersey range from $93,600 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $250,669 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $158,259. The New Jersey median is $20,925 above the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $76.08/hr. Approximately 974 veterinarians are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$117,811
2025 BLS Actual
$149,923
2026 Current Est.
$158,259
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,811 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,747 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,451 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,974 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,923 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,058 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 27.3% from $117,811 (2019) to $149,923 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $167,058 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,247 (41.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Camden | $144,059 |
| Summit | $147,437 |
| Rahway | $149,662 |
| Evesham | $150,325 |
| Egg Harbor | $150,547 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $173,773 | 98.857 | $175,782 |
| Trenton | $158,889 | 103.18 | $153,992 |
| Jersey City | $167,661 | 115.2 | $145,539 |
| Newark | $165,076 | 115.2 | $143,295 |
| Princeton | $162,047 | 115.2 | $140,666 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $93,600 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $158,259 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $250,669 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic City | $173,773 |
| 2 | Jersey City | $167,661 |
| 3 | Newark | $165,076 |
| 4 | Princeton | $162,047 |
| 5 | East Orange | $160,391 |
| 6 | Franklin | $160,391 |
| 7 | Woodbridge | $160,347 |
| 8 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $160,116 |
| 9 | Union | $159,714 |
| 10 | Elizabeth | $159,656 |
| 11 | Brick | $159,326 |
| 12 | Trenton | $158,889 |
| 13 | Gloucester Township | $158,875 |
| 14 | New Brunswick | $158,813 |
| 15 | Vineland | $158,549 |
| 16 | Howell | $158,286 |
| 17 | Paterson | $158,096 |
| 18 | Plainfield | $157,910 |
| 19 | Irvington | $157,672 |
| 20 | West New York | $157,434 |
| 21 | Piscataway | $157,321 |
| 22 | Jackson | $157,234 |
| 23 | Lakewood | $156,972 |
| 24 | West Orange | $156,881 |
| 25 | Montclair | $156,648 |
| 26 | Washington Township | $156,402 |
| 27 | Old Bridge | $156,344 |
| 28 | Edison | $156,102 |
| 29 | Union City | $156,030 |
| 30 | Toms River | $155,981 |
| 31 | Bridgewater | $155,800 |
| 32 | Middletown | $155,755 |
| 33 | Clifton | $155,279 |
| 34 | South Brunswick | $155,002 |
| 35 | Berkeley | $154,991 |
| 36 | Perth Amboy | $154,965 |
| 37 | Wayne | $154,916 |
| 38 | Linden | $154,892 |
| 39 | Passaic | $154,853 |
| 40 | East Brunswick | $154,794 |
| 41 | Bloomfield | $154,465 |
| 42 | Long Branch | $154,365 |
| 43 | Westfield | $153,935 |
| 44 | Hamilton | $153,776 |
| 45 | Sayreville | $153,726 |
| 46 | Cherry Hill | $153,701 |
| 47 | North Bergen | $153,424 |
| 48 | Hoboken | $153,287 |
| 49 | Kearny | $153,050 |
| 50 | Manalapan | $152,915 |
| 51 | Bayonne | $152,760 |
| 52 | Manchester | $152,412 |
| 53 | Moorestown | $151,814 |
| 54 | Hackensack | $151,810 |
| 55 | Marlboro | $151,025 |
| 56 | Mount Laurel | $150,914 |
| 57 | Egg Harbor | $150,547 |
| 58 | Evesham | $150,325 |
| 59 | Rahway | $149,662 |
| 60 | Summit | $147,437 |
| 61 | Camden | $144,059 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinarian hourly pay in New Jersey cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in New Jersey?
How many veterinarians are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey 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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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, 6-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