Veterinarian salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Veterinarians in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $108,000 a year ($51.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,890 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 4% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $104,100. There are 0.53 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $115,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| 25th percentile | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Median | $108,000 | $51.92 |
| 75th percentile | $155,940 | $74.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,890 | $80.71 |
| Average (mean) | $115,050 | $55.31 |
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 | $9,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,500 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,153.85 |
| Weekly | $2,076.92 |
| Hourly | $51.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $108,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $148,730 | 1,530 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $127,850 | 520 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $127,670 | 650 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $127,650 | 70 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $126,500 | 30 |
| Bloomington, IN | $125,480 | 30 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $124,970 | 80 |
| Evansville, IN | $124,590 | 50 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $119,310 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $111,400 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $111,400 | 60 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $109,050 | 330 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $97,260 | 40 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $91,910 | 90 |
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,850 | $40.79 |
| Pharmacist | $143,920 | $69.19 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,900 | $59.09 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,260 | $49.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $335,670 | $161.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $103,420 | $49.72 |
| Anesthesiologist | $491,640 | $236.37 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,830 | $62.90 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Cardiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $108,000 a year, or $51.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $167,890 a year. The top 25% earn $155,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,200 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $62,390 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 360 veterinarians are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.