Veterinarian Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $132,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $132,240/year (≈ $63.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $137,750 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Port Arthur, Texas, veterinarians are projected to earn a median annual salary of $132,240 in 2026. This figure sits just below the national median of $137,334, highlighting the unique compensation dynamics within this local market. Salaries vary significantly, with a range from $76,700 in the 10th percentile to as high as $204,972 for those in the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflect the ongoing evolution of veterinary pay influenced by factors such as production-based compensation models, where pay can substantially depend on the revenue generated by veterinarians in practices. The number of employed veterinarians in Port Arthur stands at just 12, indicating a specialized job market with potential for growth.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,260 | $80.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,972 | $98.54 |
Median Salary Position
3.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,272 (2026 est.). At $132,240, the local median is 3.71% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Arthur Veterinarian Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $132,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $130,543 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -3.71% less |
Veterinarians in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $132,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.71% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.30% above the Texas state average of $130,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $132,240 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,750 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,920
2025 BLS Actual
$125,275
2026 Current Est.
$132,240
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,569 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,648 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,683 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,275 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,920 (2019) to $125,275 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,673 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $76,700 – $102,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,170 – $132,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,240 – $167,260 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,260 – $204,972 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Port Arthur
Evaluating the landscape of veterinarian pay in Port Arthur reveals a cost-of-living index of 96, suggesting a more affordable environment compared to the national average. Although working conditions and practice types diversify the job market, the highest salaries tend to come from multi-national corporate practices, especially those owned by entities like VCA and BluePearl, which dominate nearly a quarter of the local market. Factors influencing the salary range include specialty certifications, where veterinarians with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care can demand significantly higher pay than their general practice counterparts. Furthermore, production-based compensation and practice ownership can lead to substantial income variations. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Port Arthur, strategies such as seeking roles in corporate practices, acquiring specialty certifications, or negotiating sign-on bonuses—currently ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas—are advisable.
More salary data for Port Arthur, 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 $125,275 for veterinariansin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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