Veterinarian Salary in Hopkinsville, KY: $119,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Hopkinsville, KY earns a median $119,507/year (≈ $57.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Hopkinsville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $133,826 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation landscape for veterinarians in Hopkinsville, Kentucky reveals a median annual salary of $119,507, which is notably lower than the national median of $137,334. This disparity emphasizes the impact of regional economic factors on veterinarian salary in Hopkinsville. The salary range demonstrates significant variability, with the lowest 10% earning around $69,314, while the top 90% can expect to make as much as $185,236. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for the local cost of living and economic climate. With a small number of veterinarians employed in the area—just six—it reflects both the demand and the competition, highlighting the localized economic dynamics in this part of Kentucky.
About the Hopkinsville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($104,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,314 | $33.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,081 | $43.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,507 | $57.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,039 | $71.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,236 | $89.05 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hopkinsville
In Hopkinsville, KY, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,922 (2026 est.). At $119,507, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hopkinsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hopkinsville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Hopkinsville median: $119,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hopkinsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $122,697 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -12.98% less |
Veterinarians in Hopkinsville, KY earn a median of $119,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $122,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hopkinsville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hopkinsville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $119,507 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,826 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,069
2025 BLS Actual
$113,212
2026 Current Est.
$119,507
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hopkinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,367 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,341 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,856 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,212 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,151 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hopkinsville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $83,069 (2019) to $113,212 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,151 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,082 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hopkinsville 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) | $69,314 – $91,081 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,081 – $119,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,507 – $149,039 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,039 – $185,236 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Hopkinsville
The cost of living index in Hopkinsville currently stands at 89.3, indicating that while veterinarian pay in Hopkinsville, KY may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power is relatively preserved due to lower living costs. In this market, small animal companion clinics, particularly those operated by corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, tend to offer the most competitive salaries—constituting about 25% of the employment market. Factors affecting salary range include specialty board certification, production-based compensation models where veterinarians earn a percentage of the revenue they generate, and practice ownership equity. These considerations become crucial for those evaluating how much do veterinarians make in Hopkinsville. As the field continues to experience corporate consolidation, emerging veterinarians should explore practice models and negotiate sign-on bonuses, which can significantly enhance earning potential in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Hopkinsville, KY:
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 $113,212 for veterinariansin the Hopkinsville 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 Hopkinsville 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