Veterinarian Salary in South Carolina: $130,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $130,255/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $142,355 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($129,960), Myrtle Beach ($128,630), Greer ($126,909).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for veterinarians in 2026 is projected to be $130,256, which is approximately 5.2% lower than the national median of $137,334. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Columbia offering the highest average at $137,186, while Bluffton presents the lowest at $107,169. This $30,017 disparity can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of pet ownership in urban areas. Veterinarians in South Carolina must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to local scope of practice laws, which can affect job roles and responsibilities. The demand for veterinary services is on the rise, driven by an increasing pet population and heightened awareness of animal health, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.56% in employment opportunities. Overall, South Carolina's veterinarian job market appears strong, with current projections indicating a total employment of 1,198 veterinarians across the state. The cities of Myrtle Beach, Greer, Anderson, and Conway follow Columbia in projected salaries, indicating a healthy demand for veterinary professionals in various regions.
South Carolina Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $41,496 (lowest entry-level) to $232,390 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina veterinarians earn 5.15% less than the national median ($-7,079/year difference).
South Carolina Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in South Carolina range from $58,922 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $199,549 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $130,255. The South Carolina median is $7,079 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $62.62/hr. Approximately 1,198 veterinarians are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$99,850
2025 BLS Actual
$123,395
2026 Current Est.
$130,255
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,517 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,491 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,495 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,395 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 23.6% from $99,850 (2019) to $123,395 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,648 (37.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bluffton | $107,169 |
| Hilton Head Island | $109,244 |
| Clemson | $119,588 |
| Tega Cay | $119,813 |
| Easley | $120,477 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $137,186 | 93.662 | $146,469 |
| Greer | $133,965 | 91.5 | $146,410 |
| Anderson | $133,829 | 91.5 | $146,261 |
| Conway | $133,278 | 91.5 | $145,659 |
| Myrtle Beach | $135,782 | 93.642 | $145,001 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $58,922 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $130,255 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $199,549 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $137,186 |
| 2 | Myrtle Beach | $135,782 |
| 3 | Greer | $133,965 |
| 4 | Anderson | $133,829 |
| 5 | Conway | $133,278 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $131,771 |
| 7 | North Charleston | $131,669 |
| 8 | Greenville | $130,810 |
| 9 | Rock Hill | $129,343 |
| 10 | Charleston | $128,920 |
| 11 | Aiken | $128,776 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $128,594 |
| 13 | Spartanburg | $128,171 |
| 14 | Mauldin | $127,838 |
| 15 | Summerville | $127,152 |
| 16 | Florence | $126,085 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $125,057 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $124,998 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $124,704 |
| 20 | Sumter | $123,676 |
| 21 | Lexington | $122,664 |
| 22 | Easley | $120,477 |
| 23 | Tega Cay | $119,813 |
| 24 | Clemson | $119,588 |
| 25 | Hilton Head Island | $109,244 |
| 26 | Bluffton | $107,169 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinarian hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in South Carolina?
How many veterinarians are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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