Veterinarian Salary in Tennessee: $129,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $129,312/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $140,863 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($126,230), Chattanooga ($125,790), Memphis ($125,130).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in Tennessee is projected to be $129,312, which is approximately 5.8% lower than the national median of $137,334. The salary range across the state varies, with Nashville offering the highest average at $133,248, while Kingsport presents the lowest at $110,933. This $22,315 difference may be driven by factors such as cost of living, regional demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of pet ownership in urban areas. Tennessee’s veterinary profession requires compliance with state licensing requirements, and the scope of practice laws can influence job responsibilities and salary potential. A growing pet population and the increasing expenditure on animal health are significant demand drivers in the state, which contributes to the overall job market strength for veterinarians. Currently, Tennessee employs approximately 1,708 veterinarians, with urban centers such as Chattanooga ($132,784), Memphis ($132,087), Franklin ($131,644), and Murfreesboro ($130,887) showing competitive salaries. The projected annual growth rate of 5.56% indicates a promising job outlook, suggesting a steady demand for veterinary professionals in the coming years.
Tennessee Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $66,471 (lowest entry-level) to $204,049 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee veterinarians earn 5.84% less than the national median ($-8,022/year difference).
Tennessee Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Tennessee range from $100,746 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $180,989 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $129,312. The Tennessee median is $8,022 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $62.17/hr. Approximately 1,708 veterinarians are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$89,458
2025 BLS Actual
$122,501
2026 Current Est.
$129,312
2019–2027 Growth
+52.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,458 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,154 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,258 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,683 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,501 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.9% from $89,458 (2019) to $122,501 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,044 (52.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kingsport | $110,933 |
| Morristown | $112,896 |
| Clarksville | $117,594 |
| Tullahoma | $118,862 |
| Sevierville | $121,454 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | $129,395 | 87.928 | $147,160 |
| Chattanooga | $132,784 | 91.464 | $145,176 |
| Franklin | $131,644 | 91.8 | $143,403 |
| Memphis | $132,087 | 92.179 | $143,294 |
| Murfreesboro | $130,887 | 91.8 | $142,578 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $100,746 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $129,312 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $180,989 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $133,248 |
| 2 | Chattanooga | $132,784 |
| 3 | Memphis | $132,087 |
| 4 | Franklin | $131,644 |
| 5 | Murfreesboro | $130,887 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $130,034 |
| 7 | Jackson | $129,789 |
| 8 | Johnson City | $129,395 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $129,382 |
| 10 | Collierville | $128,934 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $127,945 |
| 12 | Knoxville | $127,896 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $126,229 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $126,219 |
| 15 | Cleveland | $125,650 |
| 16 | Columbia | $125,370 |
| 17 | Germantown | $125,211 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $124,960 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $124,741 |
| 20 | Brentwood | $124,093 |
| 21 | Shelbyville | $123,128 |
| 22 | Mount Juliet | $123,124 |
| 23 | La Vergne | $122,864 |
| 24 | Cookeville | $122,236 |
| 25 | Maryville | $122,156 |
| 26 | Sevierville | $121,454 |
| 27 | Tullahoma | $118,862 |
| 28 | Clarksville | $117,594 |
| 29 | Morristown | $112,896 |
| 30 | Kingsport | $110,933 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Tennessee?
How many veterinarians are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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