Veterinarian Salary in Elizabeth, NJ: $159,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Elizabeth, NJ earns a median $159,656/year (≈ $76.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Elizabeth's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $138,590 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Elizabeth, New Jersey are projected to earn a median annual salary of $159,656, which is notably higher than the national median of $137,334, reflecting a premium of 16.25%. The salary range for this profession in the area is expected to vary significantly, from $94,915 at the 10th percentile to $247,467 at the 90th percentile, indicating strong potential for earnings based on experience, skills, and employment setting. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, providing a comprehensive overview of compensation trends. The job market for veterinarians in Elizabeth is competitive, shaped by the growing demand for veterinary services in both urban and suburban settings.
About the Elizabeth Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,915 | $45.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,115 | $61.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,656 | $76.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,360 | $98.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,467 | $118.98 |
Median Salary Position
16.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabeth
In Elizabeth, NJ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,552 (2026 est.). At $159,656, the local median is 16.25% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabeth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabeth Veterinarian Pay Compares
Elizabeth median: $159,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabeth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $158,232 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +16.25% more |
Veterinarians in Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $159,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $158,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabeth has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabeth, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,656 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,590 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,976
2025 BLS Actual
$151,247
2026 Current Est.
$159,656
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Elizabeth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,976 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,383 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,685 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,044 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,781 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,533 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabeth metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $110,976 (2019) to $151,247 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,533 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,557 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabeth 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) | $94,915 – $127,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,115 – $159,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,656 – $204,360 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,360 – $247,467 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Elizabeth
The local job market indicates that there are currently 25 veterinarians employed in Elizabeth, NJ, which is a relatively small but specialized workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, professionals need to consider how expenses impact their take-home pay when evaluating the veterinarian salary in Elizabeth. Corporate practices, like those under VCA and BluePearl, which constitute about 25% of the market, often offer competitive compensation structures, including production-based models that reward veterinarians for their revenue generation, along with benefits like sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in shortage areas. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to various factors including practice type, specialization, and ownership models. Maximizing pay in this market may involve pursuing specialty board certifications (such as in surgery or internal medicine), and actively seeking opportunities in corporate settings where compensation practices may be more lucrative compared to independent practices.
More salary data for Elizabeth, NJ:
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 $151,247 for veterinariansin the Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth 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