Veterinarian Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $173,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $173,773/year (≈ $83.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.9), that paycheck buys what $175,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% above the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, veterinarians are poised to earn a median annual salary of $173,773 in 2026, which represents a significant premium compared to the national average of $137,334. This salary spectrum, ranging from $104,378 at the bottom (P10) to $280,494 at the top (P90), showcases the potential for substantial earnings, depending on factors such as work environment and specialization. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the ongoing shift in the veterinary field, particularly the divide between corporate practices and independent clinics. As corporate consolidations continue to influence the job market, understanding how different practice structures impact pay is essential for both current veterinarians and those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $104,378 | $50.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,412 | $63.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,773 | $83.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $214,910 | $103.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $280,494 | $134.85 |
Median Salary Position
26.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $176,116 (2026 est.). At $173,773, the local median is 26.53% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlantic City Veterinarian Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $173,773/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $158,263 | +9.80% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +26.53% more |
Veterinarians in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $173,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.53% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 9.80% above the New Jersey state average of $158,263.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 1.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 98.857 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $173,773 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $175,782 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,040
2025 BLS Actual
$164,620
2026 Current Est.
$173,773
2019–2027 Growth
+54.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,584 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,435 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 38.3% from $119,040 (2019) to $164,620 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,435 by 2027 — a total increase of $64,395 (54.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City 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) | $104,378 – $131,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,412 – $173,773 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,773 – $214,910 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $214,910 – $280,494 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, where 60 veterinarians are currently employed, the local job market displays resilience despite the subtle challenges posed by a cost of living index of 98.857, indicating below-average living expenses. This environment affects take-home pay and buying power, particularly for those in entry-level positions. Among the various employers, corporate chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate the landscape, collectively accounting for approximately 25% of the market, often offering higher salaries than independent practices and mixed or large animal clinics. Compensation disparities are driven by various factors, including board certifications in specialized areas like surgery and internal medicine, production-based pay structures, and opportunities for ownership equity or substantial sign-on bonuses for new graduates in high-demand areas. For veterinarians looking to maximize their compensation, pursuing specialty certifications, considering shifts towards corporate entities, and aligning with current market trends can be strategic moves in navigating this dynamic job environment in Atlantic City, NJ.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Atlantic City?
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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 $164,620 for veterinariansin the Atlantic City 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
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