Veterinarian Salary in Nashville, TN: $133,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Nashville, TN earns a median $133,248/year (≈ $64.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $138,313 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Nashville, Tennessee, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,248, reflecting a competitive compensation structure influenced by production-based models that tie earnings to generated revenue. The salary range for this profession extends from $109,983 at the 10th percentile to $175,356 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential depending on experience, specialization, and practice type. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and illustrates a solid position for veterinary professionals in Nashville's job market, where demand continues to grow amid a burgeoning population and increasing pet ownership.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,983 | $52.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,843 | $59.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,248 | $64.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,432 | $80.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,356 | $84.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,373 (2026 est.). At $133,248, the local median is 2.98% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Nashville median: $133,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $128,618 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -2.98% less |
Veterinarians in Nashville, TN earn a median of $133,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.98% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.60% above the Tennessee state average of $128,618.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $133,248 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,313 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,990
2025 BLS Actual
$126,230
2026 Current Est.
$133,248
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,657 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 25.0% from $100,990 (2019) to $126,230 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,657 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,667 (39.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $109,983 – $123,843 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,843 – $133,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,248 – $168,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,432 – $175,356 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Nashville
The veterinary job market in Nashville features around 500 practicing veterinarians, contributing to a healthy employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 96.338, professionals can typically enjoy more purchasing power relative to many other metropolitan areas. Additionally, major employers range from corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which account for about 25% of the market, to independent practices and specialty hospitals. The variance in compensation is influenced by factors such as specialty board certifications in areas like surgery and internal medicine, and the balance between corporate and independent practice environments. New veterinarians should consider opportunities for sign-on bonuses, which can reach $50,000 to $150,000 in areas experiencing shortages, as well as ownership equity in practices, which can enhance overall earnings in the long run. Maximizing pay in Nashville will likely involve a strategic approach to specialization and a clear understanding of the evolving corporate consolidation trends in the industry.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $126,230 for veterinariansin the Nashville 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