Veterinarian Salary in Albany, NY: $139,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Albany, NY earns a median $139,001/year (≈ $66.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Albany's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $139,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Albany, NY, command a competitive median annual salary of $139,001 in 2026, reflecting a slight premium over the national average of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in the area starts at $102,974 for the lowest earners (P10) and extends up to $246,282 for the highest earners (P90). These insights are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the robust compensation landscape for veterinarians in the region. As specialty board certifications, particularly in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care, become more valued, the potential for higher earnings is evident, especially within the growing demand for specialized veterinary services in Albany.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,974 | $49.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,566 | $53.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,001 | $66.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,463 | $88.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $246,282 | $118.41 |
Median Salary Position
1.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, NY, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $143,308 (2026 est.). At $139,001, the local median is 1.21% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albany Veterinarian Pay Compares
Albany median: $139,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $134,691 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.21% more |
Veterinarians in Albany, NY earn a median of $139,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% above the New York state average of $134,691.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 0.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 99.566 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $139,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,607 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,590
2025 BLS Actual
$131,680
2026 Current Est.
$139,001
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 12.0% from $117,590 (2019) to $131,680 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,140 (24.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $102,974 – $111,566 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,566 – $139,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,001 – $183,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,463 – $246,282 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Albany
The job market for veterinarians in Albany is strong, with approximately 280 professionals employed in the area, fostering opportunities across various practice settings. The cost of living index at 99.566 indicates that, despite a slight dip below the national average, the relatively high veterinarian pay in Albany allows for a reasonable standard of living. Among local employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer more competitive salaries compared to independent practices, which comprise around 75% of the market. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include the degree of specialty board certification achieved, production-based compensation models where veterinarians receive a percentage of generated revenues, and incentives such as sign-on bonuses—currently ranging between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates in underserved areas. To maximize earnings potential in Albany, veterinarians should consider focusing on acquiring advanced certifications and exploring opportunities within corporate practices, where pay structures tend to be more lucrative.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 $131,680 for veterinariansin the Albany 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
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