Veterinarian Salary in Franklin, TN: $131,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Franklin, TN earns a median $131,644/year (≈ $63.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $143,403 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Franklin, Tennessee, the veterinarian salary landscape reflects the ongoing trend of corporate versus independent practice models. Projected for 2026, veterinarians in the area can expect a median annual salary of $131,644, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The salary range in Franklin varies widely from $78,007 at the lowest percentile to $204,049 at the highest, suggesting a significant disparity in earnings depending on the type of practice and individual qualifications. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the dynamics at play in this market. Understanding these pay structures can provide valuable insights for veterinarians considering their career paths in Franklin, especially in light of the impact of corporate consolidation on compensation practices.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,007 | $37.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,085 | $50.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,644 | $63.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,504 | $81.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,049 | $98.10 |
Median Salary Position
4.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, TN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,042 (2026 est.). At $131,644, the local median is 4.14% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Veterinarian Pay Compares
Franklin median: $131,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $128,684 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.14% less |
Veterinarians in Franklin, TN earn a median of $131,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.14% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.30% above the Tennessee state average of $128,684.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $131,644 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,403 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,505
2025 BLS Actual
$124,710
2026 Current Est.
$131,644
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,505 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,138 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,166 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,175 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,963 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,505 (2019) to $124,710 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,963 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,458 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $78,007 – $104,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,085 – $131,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,644 – $168,504 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,504 – $204,049 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Franklin
With 18 veterinarians currently employed in the Franklin area, job opportunities are relatively stable, but potential earners should consider the cost of living index of 91.8, which is below the national average. This means that while salaries might appear attractive, the purchasing power is a key consideration. Corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl account for about 25% of the local market, often providing higher salaries compared to independent practices. Specialty practices can further drive up earnings, with board-certified veterinarians earning at least twice as much as general practitioners. Factors contributing to the spread in pay include production-based compensation and location-based demand for services. To optimize their earning potential, veterinarians in Franklin should seek specialty certifications and explore opportunities in corporate environments or larger practices that can offer lucrative sign-on bonuses, currently ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new hires in shortage areas.
More salary data for Franklin, TN:
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 $124,710 for veterinariansin the Franklin 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 Franklin 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