Veterinarian salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Veterinarians in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $128,360 a year ($61.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,070 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 3% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $124,370. There are 0.46 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $127,820, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinarians in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,230 | $34.24 |
| 25th percentile | $91,230 | $43.86 |
| Median | $128,360 | $61.71 |
| 75th percentile | $155,570 | $74.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,070 | $81.28 |
| Average (mean) | $127,820 | $61.45 |
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 | $10,696.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,348.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,936.92 |
| Weekly | $2,468.46 |
| Hourly | $61.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $128,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $128,500 | 130 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $126,890 | 160 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $124,970 | 80 |
| Lafayette, LA | $124,470 | 90 |
| Monroe, LA | $117,400 | 40 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $115,210 | 60 |
| Hammond, LA | $112,140 | 40 |
| Alexandria, LA | $104,580 | 30 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,440 | $156.94 |
| Pharmacist | $128,100 | $61.59 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,580 | $59.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Dentists, General | $198,050 | $95.22 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $332,690 | $159.95 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,180 | $35.18 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,280 | $103.98 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $128,360 a year, or $61.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $169,070 a year. The top 25% earn $155,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,230 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $91,230 or less.
How many veterinarians work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 200 veterinarians are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.