Veterinarian Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $135,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $135,317/year (≈ $65.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $147,119 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, the projected median annual veterinarian salary in 2026 stands at $135,317, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. Veterinarians in this region can expect to see salaries ranging from $81,619 at the 10th percentile to as high as $210,877 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflects a competitive local market influenced by production-based compensation models. As veterinarians generate revenue, their pay can significantly vary based on their practice structure, experience, and specialty, emphasizing the diverse opportunities available within Fayetteville's veterinary field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,619 | $39.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,725 | $53.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,317 | $65.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,885 | $81.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,877 | $101.38 |
Median Salary Position
1.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,258 (2026 est.). At $135,317, the local median is 1.47% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $135,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $136,271 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.47% less |
Veterinarians in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $135,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% below the North Carolina state average of $136,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,119 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,170
2025 BLS Actual
$128,190
2026 Current Est.
$135,317
2019–2027 Growth
+35.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,841 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 21.9% from $105,170 (2019) to $128,190 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,841 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,671 (35.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $81,619 – $111,725 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,725 – $135,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,317 – $168,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,885 – $210,877 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Fayetteville
The veterinarian job market in Fayetteville comprises around 60 professionals, indicating a stable employment landscape. With a cost of living index of 91.978, the take-home purchasing power for veterinarians is improved compared to many national averages. Among the local employers, corporate veterinary chains such as VCA and BluePearl are significant players, typically offering higher salaries than independent practices or smaller clinics. This can be due to specialized services and larger client bases, especially in areas like emergency care or specialty referrals, where board certifications become essential for maximizing income. To enhance their earning potential in Fayetteville, veterinarians should consider pursuing additional specialty board certifications, exploring production-based payment structures, and evaluating opportunities for partnership within practices, which can lead to increased compensation tied to practice performance.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Fayetteville?
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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 $128,190 for veterinariansin the Fayetteville 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