Veterinarian salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Veterinarians in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $109,050 a year ($52.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,870 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 5% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $104,100. There are 1.2 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,660 | $24.36 |
| 25th percentile | $86,130 | $41.41 |
| Median | $109,050 | $52.43 |
| 75th percentile | $169,220 | $81.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,870 | $103.31 |
| Average (mean) | $129,420 | $62.22 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,087.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,543.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,194.23 |
| Weekly | $2,097.12 |
| Hourly | $52.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $109,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $127,670 | 650 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $111,400 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $111,400 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $108,000 | 360 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $97,260 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Physicians, All Other | $283,730 | $136.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,710 | $45.54 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,070 | $59.17 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $180,790 | $86.92 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,040 | $38.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,110 | $38.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Surgeons, All Other | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $112,230 | $53.96 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $242,700 | $116.68 |
| Pediatricians, General | $165,300 | $79.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $109,050 a year, or $52.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $214,870 a year. The top 25% earn $169,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,660 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $86,130 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 330 veterinarians are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.