Veterinarian Salary in Dothan, AL: $106,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Dothan, AL earns a median $106,146/year (≈ $51.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $120,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Dothan, AL, can expect a median annual salary of $106,146 in 2026, a figure that reflects the local market's adjustments against regional living costs. The salary range is notably broad, with entry-level veterinarians earning around $61,565, while those at the top of the pay scale can command up to $164,526. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, which indicates a competitive landscape for veterinarians in the city, particularly for those with specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care. As the Dothan market evolves, this data highlights the importance of specialization and advanced training in maximizing earning potential within the veterinary profession.
About the Dothan Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,565 | $29.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,735 | $39.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,146 | $51.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,866 | $65.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,526 | $79.10 |
Median Salary Position
22.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,961 (2026 est.). At $106,146, the local median is 22.71% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Veterinarian Pay Compares
Dothan median: $106,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $108,423 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -22.71% less |
Veterinarians in Dothan, AL earn a median of $106,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.71% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.10% below the Alabama state average of $108,423.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $106,146 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,758 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,782
2025 BLS Actual
$100,555
2026 Current Est.
$106,146
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,782 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,711 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,577 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,555 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $73,782 (2019) to $100,555 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,266 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,565 – $81,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,735 – $106,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,146 – $135,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,866 – $164,526 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Dothan
In Dothan, the job market for veterinarians is stable but relatively small, with only 18 employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 87.9, suggesting that salaries may offer a better quality of life compared to more expensive locales. This factor can enhance the take-home pay for veterinarians, especially when considering that corporate entities such as VCA or BluePearl dominate about 25% of the market and typically offer higher compensation rates than independent clinics. Additionally, veterinarians with specialty certifications often see significantly higher wages compared to general practitioners due to demand and the complexities involved in their work. Strategies to optimize pay in Dothan include seeking employment with corporate practices and considering specialty training, which may also lead to opportunities for production-based compensation or lucrative sign-on bonuses, particularly in underserved areas.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,555 for veterinariansin the Dothan metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dothan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov