Veterinarian Salary in Montclair, NJ: $156,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Montclair, NJ earns a median $156,648/year (≈ $75.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Montclair's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $135,979 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Montclair, New Jersey, veterinarians can expect a competitive median annual salary of $156,648 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians in this region varies widely, from $90,855 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $242,804 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the strong demand for veterinary professionals in Montclair’s market. This demand is influenced by the city’s affluent demographics and the presence of both corporate and independent veterinary practices, which significantly shapes compensation structures based on revenue generation and performance metrics.
About the Montclair Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,855 | $43.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,535 | $61.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,648 | $75.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,736 | $93.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $242,804 | $116.73 |
Median Salary Position
14.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montclair
In Montclair, NJ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $151,949 (2026 est.). At $156,648, the local median is 14.06% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montclair: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montclair Veterinarian Pay Compares
Montclair median: $156,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montclair Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $158,230 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +14.06% more |
Veterinarians in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $156,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $158,230.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montclair has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montclair, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $156,648 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,979 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$108,885
2025 BLS Actual
$148,397
2026 Current Est.
$156,648
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,208 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,486 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,782 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,845 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,397 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,357 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montclair metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $108,885 (2019) to $148,397 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,357 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,472 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montclair 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) | $90,855 – $128,535 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,535 – $156,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,648 – $194,736 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,736 – $242,804 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Montclair
Looking deeper into the job market, only ten veterinarians are currently employed in Montclair, indicating a specialized and potentially competitive environment. The area's cost of living index stands at 115.2, suggesting that while salaries are robust, a higher living expense may impact overall purchasing power. Among employers, corporate practices such as VCA and BluePearl, which constitute about 25% of the local market, tend to offer competitive pay scales and potential sign-on bonuses that can reach up to $150,000 for new graduates. Factors such as specialty board certification in areas like surgery or internal medicine can significantly increase earning potential, as those with specialized expertise often command higher salaries compared to general practitioners. To maximize pay in Montclair’s veterinarian sector, practitioners should consider pursuing specialty certifications, negotiating for compensation packages that include revenue-sharing models, and exploring opportunities with corporate entities where the pay structures may be more favorable.
More salary data for Montclair, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Montclair, NJ in 2026?
Is Montclair, NJ a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Montclair?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Montclair?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Montclair?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $148,397 for veterinariansin the Montclair 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 Montclair 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