Veterinarian Salary in Hackensack, NJ: $151,810 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Hackensack, NJ earns a median $151,810/year (≈ $72.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Hackensack's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $131,780 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hackensack, New Jersey, veterinarians can expect a competitive median annual salary of $151,810 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this role spans from $93,060 at the 10th percentile to $235,306 at the 90th percentile. This range reflects the diverse opportunities available to veterinary professionals, especially those holding specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery or internal medicine. BLS estimates derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments illustrate that Hackensack's market is favorable for vets, especially when considering the local demand for both general and specialized veterinary services.
About the Hackensack Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,060 | $44.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,109 | $58.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $151,810 | $72.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,569 | $89.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $235,306 | $113.13 |
Median Salary Position
10.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hackensack
In Hackensack, NJ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,246 (2026 est.). At $151,810, the local median is 10.54% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hackensack: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hackensack Veterinarian Pay Compares
Hackensack median: $151,810/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hackensack Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $158,135 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +10.54% more |
Veterinarians in Hackensack, NJ earn a median of $151,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.54% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.00% below the New Jersey state average of $158,135.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hackensack has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hackensack, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $151,810 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,780 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,523
2025 BLS Actual
$143,814
2026 Current Est.
$151,810
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hackensack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,523 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,712 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,145 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,126 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $151,810 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hackensack metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $105,523 (2019) to $143,814 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,728 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hackensack 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) | $93,060 – $122,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,109 – $151,810 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $151,810 – $186,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,569 – $235,306 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Hackensack
Looking deeper into the local job market, Hackensack employs eight veterinarians amidst a cost-of-living index of 115.2, indicating a higher than average living expense which affects purchasing power and salary negotiation strategies. For instance, veterinarians working in specialty referral hospitals, often linked to corporate giants like VCA and BluePearl, typically command the highest pay, with compensation structures that can include significant sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, especially for new graduates in high-demand specialty fields. The discrepancies in veterinarian pay in Hackensack are largely driven by factors such as specialty certifications, practice ownership, and production-based compensation models. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, veterinarians should consider accruing additional certifications or seeking employment in corporate settings where pay structures are often more lucrative compared to independent practices.
More salary data for Hackensack, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Hackensack?
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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 $143,814 for veterinariansin the Hackensack 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 Hackensack 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