Veterinarian salary in Lafayette, LA
Veterinarians in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $124,470 a year ($59.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,380 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is about the same as the Louisiana statewide median of $124,370. There are 0.51 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $123,490, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinarians in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| 25th percentile | $78,590 | $37.79 |
| Median | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| 75th percentile | $135,630 | $65.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,380 | $90.57 |
| Average (mean) | $123,490 | $59.37 |
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 | $10,372.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,186.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,787.31 |
| Weekly | $2,393.65 |
| Hourly | $59.84 |
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 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $126,890 | 160 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $124,970 | 80 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,960 | $39.41 |
| Pharmacist | $132,130 | $63.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,930 | $58.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,900 | $39.38 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dentists, General | $171,860 | $82.63 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Physicians, All Other | $299,990 | $144.23 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,200 | $30.38 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,300 | $103.99 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | $64.69 |
| Chiropractor | $76,580 | $36.82 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $124,470 a year, or $59.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $188,380 a year. The top 25% earn $135,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,660 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $78,590 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Lafayette, LA?
About 90 veterinarians are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.