Veterinarian Salary in North Carolina: $136,678 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $136,678/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $146,024 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Winston-Salem ($133,777), Chapel Hill ($133,608), Durham ($132,500).
In North Carolina, the average median salary for veterinarians in 2026 is projected to be $136,678, slightly below the national median of $137,334, indicating a difference of -0.5%. The highest-paying city in the state is Winston-Salem, with a salary of $141,215, while the lowest is Leland at $126,529, creating a salary gap of $14,686. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as local demand for veterinary services, cost of living variations, and the presence of large animal practices versus small animal clinics. North Carolina has specific state licensing requirements that professionals must meet, including passing the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board examination. Additionally, scope of practice laws can influence job responsibilities and opportunities in various regions. The state's veterinary job market is strong, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%, reflecting increasing demand for veterinary care. Top cities for veterinarian salaries include Chapel Hill at $141,037, Durham at $139,867, Wilmington at $138,991, and Concord at $138,486. These figures highlight the importance of location, as factors like regional economic conditions and population density play significant roles in setting salary expectations for veterinarians in the state.
North Carolina Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $37,991 (lowest entry-level) to $229,150 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina veterinarians earn 0.48% less than the national median ($-656/year difference).
North Carolina Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in North Carolina range from $77,222 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $221,376 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $136,678. The North Carolina median is $656 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $65.71/hr. Approximately 2,862 veterinarians are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$100,908
2025 BLS Actual
$129,479
2026 Current Est.
$136,678
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,908 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,253 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,836 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,623 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,479 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,678 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 28.3% from $100,908 (2019) to $129,479 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,369 (42.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $126,529 |
| Jacksonville | $127,126 |
| Carrboro | $128,424 |
| Indian Trail | $128,929 |
| Boone | $130,054 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $135,381 | 88.402 | $153,142 |
| Winston-Salem | $141,215 | 93.6 | $150,871 |
| Pinehurst | $133,206 | 88.336 | $150,795 |
| Chapel Hill | $141,037 | 93.6 | $150,681 |
| Hickory | $131,918 | 88.486 | $149,083 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $77,222 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $136,678 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $221,376 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston-Salem | $141,215 |
| 2 | Chapel Hill | $141,037 |
| 3 | Durham | $139,867 |
| 4 | Wilmington | $138,991 |
| 5 | Concord | $138,486 |
| 6 | Huntersville | $137,717 |
| 7 | Raleigh | $137,597 |
| 8 | Asheville | $137,576 |
| 9 | Kannapolis | $137,500 |
| 10 | Apex | $137,176 |
| 11 | Greensboro | $137,133 |
| 12 | Burlington | $137,017 |
| 13 | Cary | $136,943 |
| 14 | Charlotte | $136,257 |
| 15 | Winston | $135,676 |
| 16 | Greenville | $135,381 |
| 17 | Fayetteville | $135,317 |
| 18 | Statesville | $135,124 |
| 19 | High Point | $135,021 |
| 20 | Kernersville | $135,008 |
| 21 | Matthews | $134,691 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $134,458 |
| 23 | Sanford | $134,342 |
| 24 | Wake Forest | $134,339 |
| 25 | Morrisville | $134,279 |
| 26 | Fuquay-Varina | $133,919 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $133,898 |
| 28 | Thomasville | $133,676 |
| 29 | New Bern | $133,623 |
| 30 | Mint Hill | $133,591 |
| 31 | Gastonia | $133,352 |
| 32 | Pinehurst | $133,206 |
| 33 | Rocky Mount | $132,342 |
| 34 | Hickory | $131,918 |
| 35 | Holly Springs | $131,477 |
| 36 | Mooresville | $131,064 |
| 37 | Monroe | $131,012 |
| 38 | Garner | $130,715 |
| 39 | Wilson | $130,620 |
| 40 | Boone | $130,054 |
| 41 | Indian Trail | $128,929 |
| 42 | Carrboro | $128,424 |
| 43 | Jacksonville | $127,126 |
| 44 | Leland | $126,529 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinarian hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in North Carolina?
How many veterinarians are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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