Veterinarian Salary in Norfolk, VA: $130,715 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Norfolk, VA earns a median $130,715/year (≈ $62.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Norfolk's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $126,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Norfolk, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $130,715 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession is broad, from $75,814 at the 10th percentile to $202,609 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the ongoing trends in the field. The job market in Norfolk shows promise, as it supports a select group of 54 veterinarians, indicating a steady demand for these professionals in the area.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,814 | $36.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,334 | $46.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,715 | $62.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,315 | $80.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,609 | $97.41 |
Median Salary Position
4.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norfolk
In Norfolk, VA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,795 (2026 est.). At $130,715, the local median is 4.82% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norfolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norfolk Veterinarian Pay Compares
Norfolk median: $130,715/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norfolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $126,662 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.82% less |
Veterinarians in Norfolk, VA earn a median of $130,715 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.82% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% above the Virginia state average of $126,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norfolk has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Norfolk, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $130,715 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,662 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,859
2025 BLS Actual
$123,830
2026 Current Est.
$130,715
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,859 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,467 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,301 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,715 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norfolk metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $90,859 (2019) to $123,830 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,124 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norfolk 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) | $75,814 – $97,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,334 – $130,715 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,715 – $167,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,315 – $202,609 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Norfolk
Despite the relatively high cost of living in Norfolk, with a cost-of-living index of 103.2, veterinarians still find opportunities for competitive pay. While specialty board-certified veterinarians, particularly in surgery or internal medicine, can command significantly higher salaries, other factors, such as practice ownership and production-based compensation models, also influence overall earnings. Corporate structures, such as those present in veterinary chains like VCA or BluePearl, often offer lucrative packages and incentives, including sizable sign-on bonuses, especially in demanding areas. To maximize veterinarian pay in Norfolk VA, professionals should consider targeting jobs that lead to specialized certifications and explore corporate roles that provide structured growth and profit-sharing opportunities.
More salary data for Norfolk, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Norfolk, VA in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Norfolk?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Norfolk?
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Related Pages
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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 $123,830 for veterinariansin the Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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