Veterinarian salary in Louisiana
Veterinarians in Louisiana earn a median of $124,370 a year ($59.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $130,100. Louisiana ranks 32nd of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.49 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $125,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| 25th percentile | $78,660 | $37.82 |
| Median | $124,370 | $59.79 |
| 75th percentile | $141,140 | $67.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,560 | $79.60 |
| Average (mean) | $125,270 | $60.22 |
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 | $10,364.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,182.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,783.46 |
| Weekly | $2,391.73 |
| Hourly | $59.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Louisiana
| 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 |
| Lafayette, LA | $124,470 | 90 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Pharmacist | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $350,920 | $168.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Dentists, General | $170,750 | $82.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,870 | $61.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,330 | $122.75 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,130 | $106.80 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,460 | $33.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for veterinarians in Louisiana is $124,370 a year, or $59.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Louisiana earn at least $165,560 a year. The top 25% earn $141,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,690 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $78,660 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Louisiana?
About 950 veterinarians are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.