Veterinarian salary in Tennessee
Veterinarians in Tennessee earn a median of $124,350 a year ($59.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,900 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $130,100. Tennessee ranks 33rd of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.53 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $129,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,500 | $47.36 |
| 25th percentile | $104,890 | $50.43 |
| Median | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| 75th percentile | $151,770 | $72.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,900 | $80.72 |
| Average (mean) | $129,660 | $62.34 |
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 | $10,362.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,181.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,782.69 |
| Weekly | $2,391.35 |
| Hourly | $59.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $126,230 | 500 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $125,790 | 190 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $125,130 | 310 |
| Johnson City, TN | $122,580 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $121,160 | 260 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $111,400 | 70 |
| Morristown, TN | $106,950 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $105,090 | 70 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for veterinarians in Tennessee is $124,350 a year, or $59.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Tennessee earn at least $167,900 a year. The top 25% earn $151,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,500 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $104,890 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Tennessee?
About 1,730 veterinarians are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.