Veterinarian Salary in Cary, NC: $136,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cary, NC earns a median $136,943/year (≈ $65.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $146,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Cary, North Carolina, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $136,943, closely aligning with the national figure of $137,334. With salaries ranging from $80,982 at the 10th percentile to as high as $212,262 at the 90th percentile, this reflects the varied compensation across experience levels and practice types. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and account for local market conditions in the Cary area. Given the competitive nature of veterinary medicine, especially with trends towards corporate consolidation affecting pay structures, practitioners in Cary can expect a dynamic salary landscape influenced by both local demand and practice affiliation.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,982 | $38.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,420 | $52.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,943 | $65.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,471 | $83.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,262 | $102.04 |
Median Salary Position
0.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,280 (2026 est.). At $136,943, the local median is 0.28% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cary median: $136,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $136,262 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.28% less |
Veterinarians in Cary, NC earn a median of $136,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.28% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $136,262.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary 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.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $136,943 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,189
2025 BLS Actual
$129,730
2026 Current Est.
$136,943
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,189 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,968 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,085 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,966 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,557 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $95,189 (2019) to $129,730 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,557 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,368 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $80,982 – $108,420 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,420 – $136,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,943 – $173,471 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,471 – $212,262 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cary
With 44 veterinarians currently employed in Cary, the local job market is relatively stable, though the cost of living index of 93.6 indicates that housing and lifestyle expenses may be below the national average. This can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Among Cary’s employment settings, large animal and equine practices often offer higher pay compared to small animal clinics, particularly those affiliated with corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl, which comprise about 25% of the market. Compensation discrepancies are often driven by factors such as specialty board certifications, production-based pay models, and practice ownership opportunities. To maximize earnings in Cary, veterinarians should consider pursuing further specialty training or seeking out corporate practices that offer competitive starting salaries and potential sign-on bonuses, which can range between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Cary, 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 $129,730 for veterinariansin the Cary 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 Cary 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