Veterinarian Salary in Lubbock, TX: $133,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lubbock, TX earns a median $133,449/year (≈ $64.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lubbock's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $146,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarian salaries in Lubbock, Texas, present intriguing opportunities for both general practitioners and specialists. With a projected median annual salary of $133,449 for 2026, the compensation reflects a competitive landscape, although it falls slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary spectrum ranges from $82,210 at the 10th percentile to $190,346 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential for skilled veterinarians, particularly those with specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care. These insights reveal the robust nature of the local job market for veterinarians, as deduced from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting Lubbock as a viable location for prospective veterinary professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,210 | $39.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,629 | $51.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,449 | $64.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,606 | $82.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,346 | $91.51 |
Median Salary Position
2.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lubbock
In Lubbock, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,136 (2026 est.). At $133,449, the local median is 2.83% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lubbock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lubbock Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lubbock median: $133,449/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lubbock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,576 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -2.83% less |
Veterinarians in Lubbock, TX earn a median of $133,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.83% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.20% above the Texas state average of $130,576.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lubbock has a cost of living 8.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lubbock, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.317 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $133,449 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,138 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$145,060
2025 BLS Actual
$126,420
2026 Current Est.
$133,449
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $145,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,869 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lubbock metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew -12.8% from $145,060 (2019) to $126,420 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,869 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,191 (-2.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lubbock 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) | $82,210 – $107,629 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,629 – $133,449 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,449 – $170,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,606 – $190,346 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lubbock
Analyzing the job market, Lubbock employs approximately 70 veterinarians, indicating a stable demand within the community. The cost of living index sits at 91.317, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of veterinarians in the area. Specialty clinics and larger corporate entities, such as VCA and BluePearl, typically offer higher compensation compared to independent practices, which account for about 25% of the market. Various factors influence salary disparities, including specialty certifications and production-based compensation models, which reward high-performing practitioners. New veterinarians, especially in underserved regions, may also negotiate lucrative sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. Maximizing pay in Lubbock may involve pursuing specialty training, aligning with corporate practices, or leveraging experience in high-demand areas, thereby positioning oneself favorably in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 $126,420 for veterinariansin the Lubbock 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