Veterinarian Salary in Raleigh, NC: $137,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Raleigh, NC earns a median $137,597/year (≈ $66.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $140,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Raleigh, North Carolina, are projected to receive a robust median salary of $137,597 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in the area varies significantly, from $84,269 at the 10th percentile to $225,856 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for veterinary services. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Given the competitive nature of the veterinary field, particularly with a growing emphasis on production-based compensation models, there is increasing pressure on veterinarians to generate revenue, which ultimately shapes their effective compensation. This trend is reflective of the broader corporate consolidation within veterinary practices across the United States, impacting pay scales and influencing the local job market dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,269 | $40.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,724 | $51.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,597 | $66.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,543 | $83.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,856 | $108.58 |
Median Salary Position
0.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,587 (2026 est.). At $137,597, the local median is 0.19% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Veterinarian Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $137,597/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $136,235 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.19% more |
Veterinarians in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $137,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.19% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% above the North Carolina state average of $136,235.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $137,597 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,181 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,660
2025 BLS Actual
$130,350
2026 Current Est.
$137,597
2019–2027 Growth
+55.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,248 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 39.2% from $93,660 (2019) to $130,350 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,248 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,588 (55.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $84,269 – $107,724 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,724 – $137,597 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,597 – $174,543 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,543 – $225,856 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Raleigh
The job market for veterinarians in Raleigh is strong, with approximately 520 professionals currently employed in the area. The relative affordability of living in Raleigh, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 98.157, enhances the attractiveness of the veterinarian pay in Raleigh, NC. Major employers include both corporate chains and independent practices, with corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl paying competitively, particularly in specialty referral hospitals. The variation in salaries can be driven by factors such as specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, which command significantly higher pay compared to general practice. Additionally, options like sign-on bonuses, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in high-need areas, further influence compensation structures. To optimize their earnings, veterinarians in this market may benefit from exploring opportunities within specialty practices, enhancing their skill sets through certifications in high-demand areas, and considering practice ownership as a means to increase their revenue potential.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $130,350 for veterinariansin the Raleigh 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