Veterinarian Salary in Puerto Rico: $96,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $96,239/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $128,319 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($91,170).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in Puerto Rico is projected to be $96,239, significantly lower than the national median of $137,334, marking a difference of 29.9%. This salary is consistent throughout San Juan, the highest and lowest paying city, where all 130 veterinarians are employed. The relatively fixed salary in San Juan can be attributed to the limited number of positions available and regional economic factors affecting practice income. Professionals in Puerto Rico face specific state licensing requirements, including passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and adhering to local regulations. Demand for veterinary services is driven by factors such as pet population growth, rising awareness of animal health, and increasing pet ownership trends. However, the number of veterinary practices remains limited, influencing salary levels. With an annual growth rate of 5.56%, the job market for veterinarians in Puerto Rico is expected to see gradual expansion, indicating a steady increase in job opportunities. Prospective veterinarians should consider these factors when exploring their career paths in the region, balancing the lower salary with potential job security and market growth.
Puerto Rico Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $62,090 (lowest entry-level) to $166,827 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico veterinarians earn 29.92% less than the national median ($-41,095/year difference).
Puerto Rico Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Puerto Rico range from $62,090 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $166,827 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $96,239. The Puerto Rico median is $41,095 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $46.27/hr. Approximately 130 veterinarians are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,430
2025 BLS Actual
$91,170
2026 Current Est.
$96,239
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 25.9% from $72,430 (2019) to $91,170 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,160 (40.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,090 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $96,239 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $166,827 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in Puerto Rico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan | $96,239 |
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Puerto Rico?
How many veterinarians are employed in Puerto Rico?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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