Veterinarian Salary in New York: $155,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $155,338/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $134,028 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($156,150), Kingston ($135,760), Troy ($134,287).
In New York, veterinarians earn a median salary of $155,338 in 2026, which is 13.1% higher than the national median of $137,334. The highest-paying city, New York, offers average earnings of $164,832, while Cortland ranks as the lowest at $123,966, creating a salary gap of $40,866. This difference is driven by factors like cost of living, demand for veterinary services in urban areas, and the presence of specialized practices in larger markets. New York’s state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws also impact salary levels, with more stringent regulations potentially leading to higher pay for those who meet the qualifications. The demand for veterinary services is bolstered by a strong pet ownership culture, contributing to the projected annual growth rate of 5.56% in the field. With a total of 4,594 veterinarians employed across the state and top cities projected to pay well—including Kingston at $143,308, Troy at $141,753, and Ithaca at $139,202—the job market remains solid. Overall, this outlook reflects a healthy demand for professionals in veterinary medicine, creating opportunities for both new graduates and experienced practitioners in New York.
New York Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $74,459 (lowest entry-level) to $310,125 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York veterinarians earn 13.11% more than the national median (+$18,004/year difference).
New York Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in New York range from $103,575 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $281,098 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $155,338. The New York median is $18,004 above the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $74.68/hr. Approximately 4,594 veterinarians are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$115,434
2025 BLS Actual
$147,156
2026 Current Est.
$155,338
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,434 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,542 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,417 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,809 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,604 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,859 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,156 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,975 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 27.5% from $115,434 (2019) to $147,156 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,975 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,541 (42.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cortland | $123,966 |
| Plattsburgh | $124,341 |
| Oneonta | $125,638 |
| Amsterdam | $125,940 |
| Lackawanna | $126,002 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $164,832 | 112.563 | $146,435 |
| Utica | $133,343 | 92.678 | $143,878 |
| Binghamton | $133,248 | 92.863 | $143,489 |
| Kingston | $143,308 | 100.709 | $142,299 |
| Buffalo | $134,589 | 95.844 | $140,425 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $103,575 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $155,338 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $281,098 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $164,832 |
| 2 | Kingston | $143,308 |
| 3 | Troy | $141,753 |
| 4 | Ithaca | $139,202 |
| 5 | Albany | $139,001 |
| 6 | Yonkers | $138,099 |
| 7 | Schenectady | $135,982 |
| 8 | New Rochelle | $135,252 |
| 9 | Rochester | $134,673 |
| 10 | Buffalo | $134,589 |
| 11 | Mount Vernon | $133,738 |
| 12 | Watertown | $133,512 |
| 13 | Utica | $133,343 |
| 14 | Binghamton | $133,248 |
| 15 | Long Beach | $132,708 |
| 16 | Niagara Falls | $132,635 |
| 17 | Rome | $131,984 |
| 18 | Poughkeepsie | $131,774 |
| 19 | Syracuse | $131,317 |
| 20 | Spring Valley | $131,214 |
| 21 | White Plains | $131,040 |
| 22 | Jamestown | $130,880 |
| 23 | Valley Stream | $130,671 |
| 24 | Middletown | $130,127 |
| 25 | Hempstead | $129,984 |
| 26 | Kiryas Joel | $129,775 |
| 27 | Saratoga Springs | $129,344 |
| 28 | North Tonawanda | $128,582 |
| 29 | Glens Falls | $128,046 |
| 30 | Auburn | $127,955 |
| 31 | Freeport | $127,588 |
| 32 | Elmira | $127,432 |
| 33 | Newburgh | $126,957 |
| 34 | Oswego | $126,265 |
| 35 | Lackawanna | $126,002 |
| 36 | Amsterdam | $125,940 |
| 37 | Oneonta | $125,638 |
| 38 | Plattsburgh | $124,341 |
| 39 | Cortland | $123,966 |
More New York Salary Data
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in New York?
How does New York veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in New York?
How many veterinarians are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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