Veterinarian Salary in Nashville, TN
Veterinarians in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $126,230 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $97,544 take-home, or $8,129 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$19,029
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,826
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,830
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$97,544
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Veterinarian pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,190 | $50.09 | $82,128 | $6,844 |
| 25th percentile | $117,320 | $56.40 | $91,365 | $7,614 |
| Median (50th) | $126,230 | $60.69 | $97,544 | $8,129 |
| 75th percentile | $159,560 | $76.71 | $120,325 | $10,027 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,120 | $79.87 | $124,809 | $10,401 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $126,230 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median veterinarian's $97,544 take-home pay has the buying power of $101,252 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Veterinarian jobs are about as common in Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for veterinarians, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #14 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $208,080 | $137,051 | $118,543 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $161,060 | $117,533 | $113,760 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $163,810 | $123,230 | $110,885 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $162,930 | $115,018 | $110,079 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $158,200 | $109,810 | $104,759 |
| 6 | San Antonio, TX | $128,550 | $99,130 | $104,660 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $133,250 | $102,342 | $104,361 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $165,260 | $110,933 | $103,997 |
| 14 | Nashville, TN | $126,230 | $97,544 | $101,252 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Nashville, TN?
The median veterinarian salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $126,230 a year, or about $60.69 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $117,320 and $159,560.
What is a veterinarian’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $126,230 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $97,544 a year ($8,129 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $130,100. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $101,252 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #14 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinarian afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median veterinarian’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Anesthesiologist — $239,200+
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $215,290
- Nurse Anesthetist — $211,450
- Family Medicine Physician — $211,370
- Pharmacist — $137,590
- Physician Assistant — $129,050
- Nurse Practitioner — $122,320
- Physical Therapist — $103,380
- Occupational Therapist — $100,630
- Dental Hygienist — $94,030
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $89,710