Veterinarian salary in North Carolina
Veterinarians in North Carolina earn a median of $129,240 a year ($62.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,340 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $130,100. North Carolina ranks 19th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.60 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $136,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| 25th percentile | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Median | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| 75th percentile | $165,430 | $79.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,340 | $100.64 |
| Average (mean) | $136,200 | $65.48 |
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 | $10,770 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,385 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,970.77 |
| Weekly | $2,485.38 |
| Hourly | $62.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for veterinarians in North Carolina is $129,240 a year, or $62.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of veterinarians in North Carolina earn at least $209,340 a year. The top 25% earn $165,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,650 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $98,240 or less.
How many veterinarians work in North Carolina?
About 2,940 veterinarians are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.