Veterinarian Salary in Passaic, NJ: $154,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Passaic, NJ earns a median $154,853/year (≈ $74.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Passaic's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $134,421 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected veterinarian salary in Passaic, NJ, reaches $154,853 annually, surpassing the national median of $137,334 by approximately 12.76%. This salary reflects a wide range, with figures varying from $91,939 at the 10th percentile to $240,022 for the top earners in the field. These estimates draw from local conditions based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted regional price indices, providing a detailed snapshot of veterinary compensation in the Passaic area. With the local job market consisting of 18 employed veterinarians, the potential for competitive earnings is evident, especially for those with specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery or internal medicine.
About the Passaic Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,939 | $44.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,570 | $58.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,853 | $74.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,212 | $95.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $240,022 | $115.40 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Passaic
In Passaic, NJ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,083 (2026 est.). At $154,853, the local median is 12.76% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Passaic: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Passaic Veterinarian Pay Compares
Passaic median: $154,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Passaic Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $158,175 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +12.76% more |
Veterinarians in Passaic, NJ earn a median of $154,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $158,175.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Passaic has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Passaic, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $154,853 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,421 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,638
2025 BLS Actual
$146,697
2026 Current Est.
$154,853
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Passaic (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,638 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,911 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,174 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,433 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,294 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,697 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,463 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Passaic metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $107,638 (2019) to $146,697 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,463 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,825 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Passaic 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) | $91,939 – $122,570 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,570 – $154,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,853 – $198,212 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,212 – $240,022 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Passaic
Veterinarians in Passaic face a cost-of-living index of 115.2, indicating that while salaries are higher, living expenses remain elevated, affecting purchasing power. Among local employers, small animal companion clinics, particularly corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl, are known to offer competitive pay, capturing about 25% of the market. The variation in veterinarian pay in Passaic can largely be attributed to factors such as specialty board certification, business model (independent versus corporate), and the degree of ownership in practice. New graduates may find sign-on bonuses between $50,000 and $150,000, especially in areas with workforce shortages, providing an incentive to join the field. To maximize earning potential, veterinarians should consider pursuing additional certifications, engaging with corporate options, or exploring opportunities at specialty referral hospitals that offer higher compensation stemming from production-based models.
More salary data for Passaic, 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 $146,697 for veterinariansin the Passaic 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 Passaic 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