Veterinarian salary in Columbia, MO
Veterinarians in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $99,620 a year ($47.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,870 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 13% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $114,660. There are 1.3 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,770, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinarians in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| 25th percentile | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Median | $99,620 | $47.89 |
| 75th percentile | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,870 | $89.84 |
| Average (mean) | $98,770 | $47.49 |
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 | $8,301.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,150.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,831.54 |
| Weekly | $1,915.77 |
| Hourly | $47.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $122,490 | 750 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $122,460 | 810 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $118,290 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $102,740 | 140 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $102,700 | 50 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $101,230 | 50 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,360 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Pharmacist | $139,430 | $67.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,080 | $150.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $310,170 | $149.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Columbia, MO metro area is $99,620 a year, or $47.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $186,870 a year. The top 25% earn $137,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,180 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $38,180 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Columbia, MO?
About 140 veterinarians are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.