Veterinarian Salary in Baltimore, MD: $171,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Baltimore, MD earns a median $171,989/year (≈ $82.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $164,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.6% above the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Baltimore, Maryland, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $171,989, reflecting a robust compensation framework bolstered by the area's demand for specialized veterinary care. When examining the full salary range, which spans from $109,603 at the lower end (P10) to $223,259 at the upper end (P90), it becomes evident that board-certified specialists in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care can command significantly higher salaries. These estimates derive from rigorous analyses of 2025 BLS OEWS data, allowing for a dependable forecast of the financial landscape for veterinarians in the region. In this thriving job market, the allure of specialty certification is critical, enhancing earning potential for those navigating Baltimore's veterinary field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,603 | $52.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $140,004 | $67.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,989 | $82.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,733 | $89.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,259 | $107.33 |
Median Salary Position
25.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,656 (2026 est.). At $171,989, the local median is 25.23% above the national median of $137,334.
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How Baltimore Veterinarian Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $171,989/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $150,078 | +14.60% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +25.23% more |
Veterinarians in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $171,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.23% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 14.60% above the Maryland state average of $150,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,989 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $164,603 — a 4.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,410
2025 BLS Actual
$162,930
2026 Current Est.
$171,989
2019–2027 Growth
+67.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,317 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,154 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,551 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 50.3% from $108,410 (2019) to $162,930 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $181,551 by 2027 — a total increase of $73,141 (67.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $109,603 – $140,004 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $140,004 – $171,989 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,989 – $185,733 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,733 – $223,259 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Baltimore
With approximately 700 veterinarians currently employed in the Baltimore area, the local job market remains vibrant. The cost of living index, sitting at 104.487, indicates that while salaries are competitive, they must also accommodate higher living expenses. Notably, corporate veterinary chains, such as VCA and BluePearl, represent about 25% of the market and are often known for offering higher compensation packages, including sign-on bonuses that can reach between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates in areas of need. The disparity in pay is commonly driven by factors such as specialty board certification, production-based compensation models, and the structure of the practice—corporate versus independent. To maximize veterinarian pay in Baltimore MD, professionals should consider pursuing specialties, negotiating effectively for compensation that includes performance bonuses, and exploring opportunities for ownership in practices, which can lead to higher long-term earnings.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 $162,930 for veterinariansin the Baltimore 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, 5-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