Veterinarian Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $141,037 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $141,037/year (≈ $67.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $150,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $141,037 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $137,334. The projected salary range stretches from $81,802 at the lower tenth percentile to $218,606 at the ninetieth percentile, reflecting the differing structures within the industry. The compensation for veterinarians is influenced not only by the type of practice—whether corporate chains or independent clinics—but also by the market demands of the region. Chapel Hill's job market for veterinarians features a small group of only 9 employed professionals, emphasizing the competitive nature of this specifically concentrated area in the veterinary field.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,802 | $39.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,503 | $51.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,037 | $67.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,009 | $86.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,606 | $105.10 |
Median Salary Position
2.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,804 (2026 est.). At $141,037, the local median is 2.7% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Veterinarian Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $141,037/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $136,267 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.70% more |
Veterinarians in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $141,037 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.50% above the North Carolina state average of $136,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $141,037 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,681 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,034
2025 BLS Actual
$133,608
2026 Current Est.
$141,037
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,034 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,926 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,044 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,311 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,651 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,608 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,037 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,878 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $98,034 (2019) to $133,608 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,878 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,844 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $81,802 – $106,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,503 – $141,037 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,037 – $179,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,009 – $218,606 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Chapel Hill
In light of a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the purchasing power of veterinarian pay in Chapel Hill can effectively stretch further than in many higher-cost urban areas. Among various employer types, large animal and equine practices, coupled with specialized referral hospitals, tend to offer the most lucrative salaries. The variation in pay often arises from advanced qualifications such as specialty board certifications in surgery or internal medicine, as well as differing compensation models between corporate and independent practices. For those looking to maximize their earnings, becoming involved in specialty areas or pursuing partnerships in established practices can provide substantial financial incentives. Additionally, new graduates entering shortage areas may find attractive sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, providing a compelling entry point into the profession in Chapel Hill NC.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, 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 $133,608 for veterinariansin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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