Veterinarian Salary in Knoxville, TN: $127,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Knoxville, TN earns a median $127,896/year (≈ $61.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $138,163 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, TN, veterinarians are projected to earn a median annual salary of $127,896 in 2026, which reflects the local market's response to the growing demand for animal care services. The full salary range is notable, spanning from $106,056 at the lower end (P10) to $179,758 for those at the high end (P90). This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrates both the regional dynamics in veterinarian pay Knoxville TN and the structural impact of corporate versus independent practice models. Corporate practices, which are becoming increasingly prevalent, tend to offer competitive salaries that can skew local averages higher, yet many independent practices strive to maintain a personalized approach while navigating their own financial constraints.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,056 | $50.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,125 | $51.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,896 | $61.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,282 | $67.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,758 | $86.42 |
Median Salary Position
6.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,702 (2026 est.). At $127,896, the local median is 6.87% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $127,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $128,669 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.87% less |
Veterinarians in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $127,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.87% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the Tennessee state average of $128,669.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $127,896 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,163 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,280
2025 BLS Actual
$121,160
2026 Current Est.
$127,896
2019–2027 Growth
+97.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 77.4% from $68,280 (2019) to $121,160 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $66,728 (97.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $106,056 – $108,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,125 – $127,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,896 – $141,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,282 – $179,758 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Knoxville
Local employment figures reveal that there are currently 260 veterinarians working in Knoxville, which suggests a relatively stable job market in the area. The cost of living index stands at 92.569, indicating that purchasing power in Knoxville can stretch further than in many national contexts, making it an attractive option for professionals. Among employers, large animal and equine practices can often command higher salaries due to specialized skills required, while corporate chains dominate the small animal companion market. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to factors such as specialty board certification and production-based compensation models, which reward veterinarians based on their revenue generation. To maximize pay potential in Knoxville, new graduates and seasoned professionals alike should consider entering high-demand specialties, relocating to areas with pressing veterinary needs, or pursuing production-based roles to take advantage of the evolving landscape in veterinarian salary in Knoxville.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
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 $121,160 for veterinariansin the Knoxville 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