Veterinarian Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $141,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $141,392/year (≈ $67.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $131,773 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $141,392 in 2026, which represents a slight increase compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians in the area varies significantly; it spans from $84,839 at the 10th percentile to $215,711 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost considerations. With specialty board certification in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, veterinarians in Portsmouth experience substantial premium gradients in pay, reflecting the growing trends towards specialty practices in the area, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the local job market.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,839 | $40.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,296 | $53.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,392 | $67.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,085 | $83.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,711 | $103.70 |
Median Salary Position
2.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,872 (2026 est.). At $141,392, the local median is 2.95% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Veterinarian Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $141,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $147,284 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.95% more |
Veterinarians in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $141,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.95% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $147,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,392 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,773 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,740
2025 BLS Actual
$133,945
2026 Current Est.
$141,392
2019–2027 Growth
+54.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,945 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,254 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 38.5% from $96,740 (2019) to $133,945 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,254 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,514 (54.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $84,839 – $112,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,296 – $141,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,392 – $173,085 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,085 – $215,711 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Portsmouth
The veterinarian pay in Portsmouth, NH, reflects both the limited number of employed veterinarians—currently five in the area—and the relatively high cost of living, indexed at 107.3. This can impact take-home pay, as higher living expenses offset potential earnings. Among local employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which represent about 25% of the market share, tend to offer competitive salaries, particularly for veterinarians with specialized skills. The disparity in compensation is influenced by several factors, including production-based compensation structures that reward veterinarians based on revenue generation, as well as the potential for ownership equity in independent practices. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian salary in Portsmouth, pursuing specialty certification and negotiating employment terms, including sign-on bonuses, can provide significant advantages in an increasingly competitive job environment.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
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 $133,945 for veterinariansin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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