Veterinarian Salary in West Fargo, ND: $124,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in West Fargo, ND earns a median $124,169/year (≈ $59.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in West Fargo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $134,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The veterinarian salary in West Fargo, ND is projected to reach a median of $124,169 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market for animal health professionals. With a salary range spanning from $72,018 at the 10th percentile to as high as $192,462 at the 90th percentile, the figures indicate significant variance based on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, showcase how specialized veterinarians, particularly those certified in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, can command higher compensation. Compared to the national median of $137,334, the pay in West Fargo is approximately 9.59% lower, suggesting local market conditions and cost-of-living factors at play.
About the West Fargo Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,018 | $34.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,931 | $46.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,169 | $59.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,292 | $73.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,462 | $92.53 |
Median Salary Position
9.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Fargo
In West Fargo, ND, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,444 (2026 est.). At $124,169, the local median is 9.59% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Fargo Veterinarian Pay Compares
West Fargo median: $124,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $126,317 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -9.59% less |
Veterinarians in West Fargo, ND earn a median of $124,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.59% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% below the North Dakota state average of $126,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Fargo has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $124,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,966 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,309
2025 BLS Actual
$117,629
2026 Current Est.
$124,169
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in West Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,309 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,736 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,749 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,362 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,683 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,264 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,629 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,073 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Fargo metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $86,309 (2019) to $117,629 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,764 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Fargo 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) | $72,018 – $95,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,931 – $124,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,169 – $153,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,292 – $192,462 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in West Fargo
In the local job market, only 10 veterinarians are currently employed in West Fargo, indicating a relatively small community where competition for jobs may be limited but can drive salary negotiations. The cost-of-living index stands at 92, which is below the national average and affects overall take-home pay and purchasing power for veterinarians. Large animal practices or specialty referral hospitals tend to offer the most lucrative opportunities, especially for those with advanced certifications. Pay disparities can often be attributed to a combination of factors, including production-based compensation models, practice ownership equity, and the trends towards corporate ownership in veterinary medicine. For those wishing to maximize their earnings in this area, focusing on obtaining specialty board certifications, actively seeking positions with corporate practices that might offer competitive sign-on bonuses, and possibly considering mixed or large animal practices could be effective strategies.
More salary data for West Fargo, ND:
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 $117,629 for veterinariansin the West Fargo 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 West Fargo 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