Veterinarian salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Veterinarians in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $126,230 a year ($60.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,120 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $124,350. There are 0.45 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $136,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,190 | $50.09 |
| 25th percentile | $117,320 | $56.40 |
| Median | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| 75th percentile | $159,560 | $76.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,120 | $79.86 |
| Average (mean) | $136,140 | $65.45 |
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 | $10,519.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,259.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,855 |
| Weekly | $2,427.50 |
| Hourly | $60.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $126,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $125,790 | 190 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $125,130 | 310 |
| Johnson City, TN | $122,580 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $121,160 | 260 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $111,400 | 70 |
| Morristown, TN | $106,950 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $105,090 | 70 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,040 | $40.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| Pharmacist | $137,590 | $66.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,640 | $142.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,630 | $48.38 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $211,370 | $101.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $328,840 | $158.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $126,230 a year, or $60.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $166,120 a year. The top 25% earn $159,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,190 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $117,320 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 500 veterinarians are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.