Veterinarian Salary in Lufkin, TX: $123,944 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lufkin, TX earns a median $123,944/year (≈ $59.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lufkin's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $129,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $123,944 in 2026, veterinarians in Lufkin, Texas, find themselves in a favorable position compared to their peers nationwide, as the national average stands at $137,334, placing Lufkin's compensation about 9.75% lower. The local salary range varies significantly from $73,786 at the 10th percentile to $192,114 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse job market that rewards experience and specialization. Given the rising cost of living, which reflects a cost-of-living index of 96, these figures indicate competitive pay for local veterinarians. As the demand for veterinary services increases, especially in niche fields featuring specialty board certifications, Lufkin's market is evolving to attract dedicated professionals seeking career advancement.
About the Lufkin Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,786 | $35.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,077 | $47.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,944 | $59.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,405 | $74.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,114 | $92.37 |
Median Salary Position
9.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lufkin
In Lufkin, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,328 (2026 est.). At $123,944, the local median is 9.75% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lufkin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lufkin Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lufkin median: $123,944/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lufkin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,605 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -9.75% less |
Veterinarians in Lufkin, TX earn a median of $123,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $130,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lufkin has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lufkin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $123,944 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,108 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$86,153
2025 BLS Actual
$117,416
2026 Current Est.
$123,944
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lufkin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,574 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,488 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,521 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,416 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,944 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lufkin metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $86,153 (2019) to $117,416 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,683 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lufkin 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) | $73,786 – $98,077 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,077 – $123,944 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,944 – $155,405 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,405 – $192,114 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lufkin
Currently, eight veterinarians are employed in Lufkin, pointing to a relatively concentrated job market with potential for growth. While corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl dominate approximately 25% of the market and often provide higher pay and benefits, independent practices and mixed animal clinics also play crucial roles in community veterinary care. The modest cost of living in Lufkin translates to a manageable financial landscape. However, significant variations in pay arise from factors such as specialty certifications in surgery or critical care, production-based compensation models, and opportunities like sign-on bonuses worth $50,000 to $150,000 in underserved areas. Increasing income potential in Lufkin may require advancing one's education and credentials, perhaps aiming for specialty board certification through organizations like ACVIM or ACVS, navigating the increasingly competitive field effectively.
More salary data for Lufkin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Lufkin, TX in 2026?
Is Lufkin, TX a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Lufkin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Lufkin?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Lufkin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $117,416 for veterinariansin the Lufkin 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
Salary data for Lufkin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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