Veterinarian Salary in Fargo, ND: $106,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Fargo, ND earns a median $106,911/year (≈ $51.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $117,651 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.4% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Fargo, North Dakota, offers a competitive veterinarian salary estimated at $106,911 in 2026, which sits significantly below the national median of $137,334 for the same year. The salary range for veterinarians in this city varies widely, from $84,437 at the 10th percentile to $163,639 at the 90th percentile. This range highlights the potential for high earnings, particularly for those with specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care. Data from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys indicate that while local salaries may lag behind national figures, the employment landscape in Fargo remains robust, suggesting demand in the market for various veterinary practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,437 | $40.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,528 | $43.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,911 | $51.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,235 | $63.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,639 | $78.67 |
Median Salary Position
22.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,202 (2026 est.). At $106,911, the local median is 22.15% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Veterinarian Pay Compares
Fargo median: $106,911/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $126,373 | -15.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -22.15% less |
Veterinarians in Fargo, ND earn a median of $106,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.15% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 15.40% below the North Dakota state average of $126,373.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $106,911 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,651 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,560
2025 BLS Actual
$101,280
2026 Current Est.
$106,911
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 17.0% from $86,560 (2019) to $101,280 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,295 (30.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $84,437 – $90,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,528 – $106,911 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,911 – $132,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,235 – $163,639 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Fargo
Examining the job market reveals that Fargo is home to about 90 veterinarians, indicating a tight-knit community with ample opportunities. The local cost of living index stands at 90.871, which is below the national average, enhancing purchasing power for veterinarians. Corporate entities such as VCA and BluePearl contribute roughly 25% of the market, typically offering more competitive salaries compared to independent practices. There is a notable spread in pay driven primarily by specialty certifications and the structure of compensation models, including production-based pay incentives and ownership equity that can yield substantial returns. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Fargo, pursuing additional certifications and considering positions in corporate chains or specialty hospitals may provide the best financial outcomes, aligning well with current trends in veterinary practice consolidation.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Fargo?
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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 $101,280 for veterinariansin the Fargo 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