Veterinarian salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Veterinarians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $125,790 a year ($60.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,480 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $124,350. There are 0.69 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $130,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,630 | $46.94 |
| 25th percentile | $103,640 | $49.83 |
| Median | $125,790 | $60.48 |
| 75th percentile | $155,040 | $74.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,480 | $82.44 |
| Average (mean) | $130,760 | $62.86 |
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 | $10,482.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,241.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,838.08 |
| Weekly | $2,419.04 |
| Hourly | $60.48 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $128,980 | 1,610 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $126,230 | 500 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $125,130 | 310 |
| Rome, GA | $124,530 | 30 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $123,320 | 120 |
| Johnson City, TN | $122,580 | 50 |
| Gainesville, GA | $122,040 | 50 |
| Albany, GA | $121,900 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $121,160 | 260 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $120,110 | 140 |
| Savannah, GA | $116,480 | 120 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $111,400 | 70 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $108,370 | 50 |
| Morristown, TN | $106,950 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $105,090 | 70 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $99,840 | 60 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Physicians, All Other | $429,900 | $206.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,960 | $46.14 |
| Dentists, General | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | $58.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $264,690 | $127.26 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,200 | $140.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $125,790 a year, or $60.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $171,480 a year. The top 25% earn $155,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,630 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $103,640 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 190 veterinarians are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.