Veterinarian Salary in Atlanta, GA: $136,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Atlanta, GA earns a median $136,151/year (≈ $65.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $136,072 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Atlanta, Georgia are projected to earn a median annual salary of $136,151, a figure that is slightly below the national median of $137,334. This salary reflects the city’s firm reputation for a diverse practice environment. The salary range for veterinarians spans from $80,848 at the 10th percentile to $176,940 at the 90th percentile. Such financial data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, revealing the significant influence of corporate versus independent practices on veterinarian pay in Atlanta. The job market is marked by fierce competition, with practitioners often navigating varying compensation structures offered by corporate chains compared to independent clinics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,848 | $38.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,967 | $53.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,151 | $65.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,888 | $79.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,940 | $85.07 |
Median Salary Position
0.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,092 (2026 est.). At $136,151, the local median is 0.86% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Atlanta: You'd be above the median
How Atlanta Veterinarian Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $136,151/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $128,687 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.86% less |
Veterinarians in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $136,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.86% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.80% above the Georgia state average of $128,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,151 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,072 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,700
2025 BLS Actual
$128,980
2026 Current Est.
$136,151
2019–2027 Growth
+53.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,721 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 37.7% from $93,700 (2019) to $128,980 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,721 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,021 (53.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $80,848 – $111,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,967 – $136,151 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,151 – $165,888 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,888 – $176,940 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Atlanta
Evaluating the job market for veterinarians in Atlanta reveals a robust workforce of approximately 1,610 professionals. However, the cost of living in the area, with a CoL index of 100.058, slightly above the national average, can impact take-home purchasing power. Among the local employers, corporate practices like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA tend to offer competitive salaries, significantly influencing overall veterinarian pay in Atlanta, GA. The disparity between lower and higher salaries is often driven by factors such as specialty board certifications in fields like surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation models, ownership stakes in practices, and attractive sign-on bonuses, particularly for new graduates entering shortage areas. For veterinarians looking to maximize their earnings in this market, aligning with high-paying employers, pursuing specialty certifications, and considering corporate roles could provide a strategic advantage in the competitive landscape of veterinary medicine.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 $128,980 for veterinariansin the Atlanta 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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