Veterinarian Salary in Raleigh, NC
Veterinarians in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $130,350 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $95,668 take-home, or $7,972 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median veterinarian salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,018
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,082
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,890
- North Carolina income tax$4,692
- Take-home pay$95,668
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Veterinarian pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,830 | $38.38 | $62,314 | $5,193 |
| 25th percentile | $102,050 | $49.06 | $77,059 | $6,422 |
| Median (50th) | $130,350 | $62.67 | $95,668 | $7,972 |
| 75th percentile | $165,350 | $79.50 | $118,194 | $9,849 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,960 | $102.87 | $151,180 | $12,598 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $130,350 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median veterinarian's $95,668 take-home pay has the buying power of $97,464 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.3× the national concentration of veterinarian jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for veterinarians, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #24 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 |
| 24 | Raleigh, NC | $130,350 | $95,668 | $97,464 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
Veterinarian salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $129,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Raleigh, NC?
The median veterinarian salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $130,350 a year, or about $62.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $102,050 and $165,350.
What is a veterinarian’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $130,350 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $95,668 a year ($7,972 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,692 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $130,100. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $97,464 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #24 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinarian afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median veterinarian’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $207,380
- Pharmacist — $133,120
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,150
- Physician Assistant — $124,300
- Physical Therapist — $99,900
- Dental Hygienist — $98,800
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $87,400
- Registered Nurse — $84,830
- Occupational Therapist — $84,080
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $68,210