Veterinarian salary in Missouri
Veterinarians in Missouri earn a median of $114,660 a year ($55.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,860 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $130,100. Missouri ranks 37th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.65 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $125,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| 25th percentile | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| Median | $114,660 | $55.12 |
| 75th percentile | $149,250 | $71.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,860 | $93.20 |
| Average (mean) | $125,720 | $60.44 |
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 | $9,555 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,777.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,410 |
| Weekly | $2,205 |
| Hourly | $55.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Missouri
| 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 |
| Columbia, MO | $99,620 | 140 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,930 | $62.47 |
| Pharmacist | $137,610 | $66.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Physicians, All Other | $227,980 | $109.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $171,180 | $82.30 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,280 | $42.92 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Dentists, General | $204,960 | $98.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,130 | $64.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,450 | $31.47 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $242,630 | $116.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for veterinarians in Missouri is $114,660 a year, or $55.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Missouri?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Missouri earn at least $193,860 a year. The top 25% earn $149,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,270 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $97,280 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Missouri?
About 1,920 veterinarians are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.