Veterinarian Salary in Murfreesboro, TN: $130,887 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Murfreesboro, TN earns a median $130,887/year (≈ $62.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Murfreesboro's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $142,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, are projected to earn a median salary of $130,887, which is approximately 4.69% below the national median of $137,334. The pay range varies significantly from $75,915 at the 10th percentile to $202,875 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences. This financial outlook highlights an ongoing division in the veterinary market. Corporate practices tend to offer structured pay scales and benefits that might attract new graduates, while independent practices often provide lower base salaries but the possibility for greater ownership stake, thereby influencing the overall compensation landscape in Murfreesboro.
About the Murfreesboro Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,915 | $36.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,585 | $48.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,887 | $62.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,535 | $80.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,875 | $97.54 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murfreesboro
In Murfreesboro, TN, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,960 (2026 est.). At $130,887, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murfreesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murfreesboro Veterinarian Pay Compares
Murfreesboro median: $130,887/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murfreesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $128,699 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.69% less |
Veterinarians in Murfreesboro, TN earn a median of $130,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% above the Tennessee state average of $128,699.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murfreesboro 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.
Murfreesboro, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $130,887 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,979
2025 BLS Actual
$123,993
2026 Current Est.
$130,887
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,979 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,591 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,659 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,413 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,509 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,993 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,887 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murfreesboro metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $90,979 (2019) to $123,993 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,185 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murfreesboro 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) | $75,915 – $101,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,585 – $130,887 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,887 – $167,535 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,535 – $202,875 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Murfreesboro
The local job market shows promising signs with 29 veterinarians currently employed in the area, contributing to a competitive landscape for attracting talent. Notably, the cost of living index stands at 91.8, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively balanced. Among employers, corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl dominate, accounting for around 25% of the market and generally offering higher pay. However, large animal and mixed practices, as well as specialty referral hospitals, can command premium compensation for board-certified veterinarians. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialty certification, production-based compensation models, and the potential for sign-on bonuses as high as $150,000 for new graduates in certain fields. For those seeking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Murfreesboro, focusing on gaining specialty certifications or considering opportunities with corporate practices could yield favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, 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 $123,993 for veterinariansin the Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro 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