Veterinarian Salary in El Paso, TX: $130,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in El Paso, TX earns a median $130,103/year (≈ $62.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in El Paso's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.9), that paycheck buys what $144,700 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in El Paso, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $130,103, reflecting a slightly lower compensation trend compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $93,811 at the 10th percentile to $182,059 at the 90th percentile. These figures are sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrating the growing need for veterinary services in a city that employs about 70 veterinarians. This dynamic market is shaped not only by demand but also by varying levels of specialization, indicating that those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care may command higher salaries than their general practice counterparts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,811 | $45.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,538 | $54.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,103 | $62.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,487 | $81.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,059 | $87.53 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Paso
In El Paso, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,248 (2026 est.). At $130,103, the local median is 5.27% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Paso: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Paso Veterinarian Pay Compares
El Paso median: $130,103/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Paso Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,625 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -5.27% less |
Veterinarians in El Paso, TX earn a median of $130,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.40% below the Texas state average of $130,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Paso has a cost of living 10.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Paso, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.912 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $130,103 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,700 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,420
2025 BLS Actual
$123,250
2026 Current Est.
$130,103
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,336 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Paso metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 19.2% from $103,420 (2019) to $123,250 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,336 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,916 (32.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Paso 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) | $93,811 – $112,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,538 – $130,103 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,103 – $169,487 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,487 – $182,059 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in El Paso
El Paso presents a competitive environment for veterinarians, particularly with a cost of living index at 89.912, which is below the national average. This discrepancy factors significantly into take-home pay and overall purchasing power for professionals in the field. Among local employers, corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl account for about 25% of the market and may offer more lucrative pay structures. The disparity between the lowest and highest wages reflects various factors such as board certifications, production-based compensation models, and the presence of sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas. Aspiring veterinarians in El Paso should consider specializing in high-demand fields, exploring corporate employment opportunities, or even seeking ownership stakes to maximize their earning potential in the evolving landscape of veterinarian pay in El Paso, TX.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
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 $123,250 for veterinariansin the El Paso 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