Veterinarian Salary in Clarksville, TN: $117,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Clarksville, TN earns a median $117,594/year (≈ $56.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $129,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Clarksville, TN, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $117,594, a figure that reflects the ongoing evolution in employment structures between corporate and independent practices. With salaries ranging from $102,372 at the 10th percentile to $164,547 at the 90th percentile, the compensation landscape in this city shows notable disparities. These estimates, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlight a regional pay gap when compared to the national median of $137,334. The dynamics of practice ownership, alongside the increasing corporate consolidation of veterinary services, are influencing pay scales and job opportunities in Clarksville, affecting how much do veterinarians make in this area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,372 | $49.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,872 | $51.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,594 | $56.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,239 | $65.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,547 | $79.11 |
Median Salary Position
14.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,175 (2026 est.). At $117,594, the local median is 14.37% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Clarksville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $117,594/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $128,658 | -8.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -14.37% less |
Veterinarians in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $117,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.37% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 8.60% below the Tennessee state average of $128,658.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 90.947 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $117,594 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,299 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,770
2025 BLS Actual
$111,400
2026 Current Est.
$117,594
2019–2027 Growth
+68.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,132 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 51.0% from $73,770 (2019) to $111,400 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,132 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,362 (68.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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) | $102,372 – $107,872 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,872 – $117,594 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,594 – $137,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,239 – $164,547 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Clarksville
The local job market consists of approximately 70 veterinarians, indicating a stable demand for veterinary services in Clarksville. With a cost-of-living index of 90.947, professionals in this field might find that their take-home pay stretches further than in many urban centers. While corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl may offer higher salaries, independent practices typically emphasize work-life balance and job satisfaction, drawing many veterinarians toward more personalized work environments. Specialty physicians holding board certifications often see significantly higher compensation, sometimes 2-3 times more than general practitioners, due to the specialized skills required. Strategies such as pursuing specialty certifications or negotiating production-based compensation models can maximize earnings. Those entering the field may also benefit from lucrative sign-on bonuses of $50,000 to $150,000, particularly in underserved areas.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Clarksville, TN in 2026?
Is Clarksville, TN a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Clarksville?
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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 $111,400 for veterinariansin the Clarksville 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