Veterinarian Salary in Wilmington, NC: $138,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Wilmington, NC earns a median $138,991/year (≈ $66.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $144,149 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Wilmington, North Carolina, earn a median annual salary of $138,991, reflecting a competitive pay landscape relative to the national median of $137,334. The salary range spans from $81,672 at the 10th percentile to $222,605 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This disparity in earnings highlights the impact of practice structure on compensation; those in corporate settings may receive different pay scales compared to independent clinics, which traditionally focus on hands-on veterinary care. The ongoing consolidation of practices has further influenced salaries, as corporate chains often have the financial resources to offer higher compensation packages and additional benefits.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,672 | $39.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,057 | $52.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,991 | $66.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,233 | $86.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,605 | $107.03 |
Median Salary Position
1.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,933 (2026 est.). At $138,991, the local median is 1.21% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Veterinarian Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $138,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $136,266 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.21% more |
Veterinarians in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $138,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% above the North Carolina state average of $136,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $138,991 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,149 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$100,340
2025 BLS Actual
$131,670
2026 Current Est.
$138,991
2019–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,581 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,506 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 31.2% from $100,340 (2019) to $131,670 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,379 (46.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $81,672 – $110,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,057 – $138,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,991 – $180,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,233 – $222,605 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Wilmington
In Wilmington, the job market for veterinarians shows a solid employment base with approximately 190 professionals practicing locally. With a cost-of-living index of 96.422, the economic context enhances take-home pay, allowing veterinarians to maintain a reasonable quality of life without the financial strain common in many urban areas. Salary potential can significantly vary based on practice type and specialization. Specialists in surgery or internal medicine may command considerably higher salaries than general practitioners, often influenced by board certification, production-based compensation models, and practice ownership opportunities. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Wilmington, pursuing specialty training through organizations like the ACVIM or ACVS, and considering practices that offer production bonuses or attractive sign-on incentives can be strategic moves.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Wilmington?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $131,670 for veterinariansin the Wilmington 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, 3-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