Veterinarian salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Veterinarians in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $124,970 a year ($60.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,780 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $129,240. There are 0.47 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $128,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| 25th percentile | $93,140 | $44.78 |
| Median | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| 75th percentile | $161,880 | $77.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,780 | $96.53 |
| Average (mean) | $128,080 | $61.58 |
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 | $10,414.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,207.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,806.54 |
| Weekly | $2,403.27 |
| Hourly | $60.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $132,500 | 210 |
| 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 |
| 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $124,970 a year, or $60.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $200,780 a year. The top 25% earn $161,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,470 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $93,140 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 70 veterinarians are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.