Veterinarian Salary in Carrboro, NC: $128,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Carrboro, NC earns a median $128,424/year (≈ $61.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Carrboro's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $137,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carrboro, North Carolina, the veterinarian salary landscape reflects both local economic conditions and broader national trends. For 2026, the projected median annual salary stands at $128,424, which is about 6.49% lower than the national median of $137,334. This figure does not exist in isolation; salaries in Carrboro range from $74,486 at the 10th percentile to as high as $196,351 at the 90th percentile. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional price parities. Notably, local veterinarians generate income largely through production-based compensation, a model where pay aligns closely with revenue generated from services offered. Understanding this dynamic is essential for veterinarians considering practice options in Carrboro.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,486 | $35.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,071 | $51.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,424 | $61.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,186 | $75.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,351 | $94.40 |
Median Salary Position
6.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
In Carrboro, NC, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,865 (2026 est.). At $128,424, the local median is 6.49% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carrboro Veterinarian Pay Compares
Carrboro median: $128,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $136,187 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.49% less |
Veterinarians in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $128,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.49% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $136,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrboro has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carrboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $128,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,267
2025 BLS Actual
$121,660
2026 Current Est.
$128,424
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,267 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,811 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,859 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,561 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,374 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,806 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrboro metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $89,267 (2019) to $121,660 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,298 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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) | $74,486 – $107,071 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,071 – $128,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,424 – $157,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,186 – $196,351 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Carrboro
The job market for veterinarians in Carrboro demonstrates stability, with six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index of 93.6 indicates that expenses are slightly below the national average, potentially amplifying take-home purchasing power. For those looking for better financial opportunities, small animal clinics, particularly corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, constitute about 25% of the market and often provide competitive salaries, especially for young veterinarians in high-demand roles. Factors contributing to pay disparities include specialty board certification and production-based income models, with specialty vets in surgery or internal medicine achieving significantly higher salaries compared to general practitioners. For veterinarians in Carrboro, maximizing pay could involve pursuing specializations or considering ownership opportunities to leverage the current employment landscape efficiently.
More salary data for Carrboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $121,660 for veterinariansin the Carrboro 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 Carrboro 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