Veterinarian salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Veterinarians in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $126,890 a year ($61.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $124,370. There are 0.39 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $127,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,550 | $31.52 |
| 25th percentile | $78,400 | $37.69 |
| Median | $126,890 | $61.01 |
| 75th percentile | $154,580 | $74.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,560 | $79.60 |
| Average (mean) | $127,470 | $61.28 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,574.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,287.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,880.38 |
| Weekly | $2,440.19 |
| Hourly | $61.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $128,500 | 130 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $128,360 | 200 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $124,970 | 80 |
| Lafayette, LA | $124,470 | 90 |
| Monroe, LA | $117,400 | 40 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $115,210 | 60 |
| Hammond, LA | $112,140 | 40 |
| Alexandria, LA | $104,580 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $413,620 | $198.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Pharmacist | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Dentists, General | $185,430 | $89.15 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,670 | $62.82 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,940 | $34.10 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $268,210 | $128.95 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,390 | $48.26 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $126,890 a year, or $61.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $165,560 a year. The top 25% earn $154,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,550 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $78,400 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 160 veterinarians are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.