Veterinarian Salary in Winston, NC: $135,676 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Winston, NC earns a median $135,676/year (≈ $65.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $147,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Winston, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $135,676, slightly below the national median of $137,334. This reflects the structural divide in the profession, where those in corporate practices often enjoy more stable incomes compared to their independent practice counterparts. The full salary range for veterinarians in the area varies significantly from $80,067 at the 10th percentile to $219,797 at the 90th percentile, indicating notable disparities linked to practice type and specializations. These insights stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which shed light on the current job market dynamics for veterinarians in Winston.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,067 | $38.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,449 | $49.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,676 | $65.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,271 | $82.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,797 | $105.68 |
Median Salary Position
1.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,730 (2026 est.). At $135,676, the local median is 1.21% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Veterinarian Pay Compares
Winston median: $135,676/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $136,221 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.21% less |
Veterinarians in Winston, NC earn a median of $135,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.40% below the North Carolina state average of $136,221.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $135,676 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,780
2025 BLS Actual
$128,530
2026 Current Est.
$135,676
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,676 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,220 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 28.8% from $99,780 (2019) to $128,530 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,220 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,440 (43.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $80,067 – $103,449 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,449 – $135,676 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,676 – $171,271 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,271 – $219,797 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Winston
The job market in Winston, NC, comprises approximately 150 veterinarians, contributing to local veterinary services despite the cost-of-living index of 92.043, which suggests that overall living expenses are below average. This can enhance the take-home purchasing power for these professionals. In terms of compensation, corporate clinics like VCA and BluePearl, which account for about 25% of the market, typically offer more competitive salaries compared to independent practices. The salary spread is influenced by factors like specialty board certification in areas such as surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation models, and practice ownership opportunities. For veterinarians considering their career trajectories, pursuing specialty certifications and negotiating contracts that include sign-on bonuses could offer significant financial rewards, particularly in a market with growing veterinary needs.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $128,530 for veterinariansin the Winston 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