Veterinarian salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Veterinarians in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $132,500 a year ($63.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,080 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 3% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $129,240. There are 0.61 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $138,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,170 | $25.08 |
| 25th percentile | $96,710 | $46.49 |
| Median | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| 75th percentile | $171,610 | $82.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,080 | $104.37 |
| Average (mean) | $138,940 | $66.80 |
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 | $11,041.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,520.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,096.15 |
| Weekly | $2,548.08 |
| Hourly | $63.70 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $131,670 | 190 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,350 | 520 |
| Asheville, NC | $130,330 | 190 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $129,910 | 180 |
| Burlington, NC | $129,800 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $129,080 | 750 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $128,530 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $128,250 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $128,190 | 60 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $126,190 | 50 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $124,970 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $122,010 | 500 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $120,430 | 40 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | $67.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $123,280 | $59.27 |
| Dentists, General | $208,490 | $100.24 |
| Acupuncturist | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Audiologist | $92,470 | $44.46 |
| Recreational Therapist | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $214,620 | $103.18 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $132,500 a year, or $63.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $217,080 a year. The top 25% earn $171,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,170 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $96,710 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 210 veterinarians are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.