Veterinarian Salary in Kearny, NJ: $153,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Kearny, NJ earns a median $153,050/year (≈ $73.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $132,856 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Kearny, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $153,050 in 2026. This compensation is notably higher than the national median of $137,334, reflecting the area's specific market conditions and adjustments for local cost of living. The salary range for veterinarians in Kearny varies significantly, from a lower 10th percentile earning $95,699 to those at the 90th percentile making $237,228. These figures stem from regional estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities, highlighting both the potential for lucrative earnings and the competitive nature of the profession in this specific location.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,699 | $46.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,614 | $59.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,050 | $73.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,381 | $91.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,228 | $114.05 |
Median Salary Position
11.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,529 (2026 est.). At $153,050, the local median is 11.44% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny Veterinarian Pay Compares
Kearny median: $153,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $158,273 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +11.44% more |
Veterinarians in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $153,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.44% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $158,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,050 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,856 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,385
2025 BLS Actual
$144,989
2026 Current Est.
$153,050
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,385 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,608 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,857 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,077 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,336 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,989 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $106,385 (2019) to $144,989 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,175 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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) | $95,699 – $124,614 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,614 – $153,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,050 – $189,381 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,381 – $237,228 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Kearny
Analyzing Kearny's local job market reveals that there are currently 11 veterinarians employed in the area, contributing to a more intimate community of veterinary professionals. The cost of living index sits at 115.2, indicating expenses are above the national average and impacting take-home pay. Within Kearny, larger corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl, which comprise about 25% of the market, tend to offer higher salaries compared to independent practices. Factors driving pay disparities include specialty board certifications, production-based compensation models, and ownership equity, which can greatly influence earning potential. New veterinarians should consider signing bonuses currently ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 offered in shortage areas as a strategy for maximizing pay, alongside consistently seeking continuing education and specializations that align with emerging trends in the veterinary field.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Kearny, NJ in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Kearny?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Kearny?
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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 $144,989 for veterinariansin the Kearny 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 Kearny 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