Healthcare New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Veterinarian Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median veterinarian salary in New Orleans, LA is $101,195 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 7.7% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$101,195
vs State Avg
+$7,228
vs National
$-2,065
Cost of Living
98%

Veterinarian Pay in New Orleans: What to Expect (2026)

New Orleans offers a median veterinarian salary of $101,195, which is $7,228 above the Louisiana state average of $93,967. Compared to the national median of $103,260, New Orleans pays below the national benchmark for this role.

New Orleans's cost of living is 98% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for veterinarians in New Orleans spans from $63,896 at the 10th percentile to $170,716 at the 90th percentile — a $106,820 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,640, while senior veterinarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,900. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Veterinarian Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level veterinarian earns around $66,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,640
$-1,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$102,900
$-2,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,900
$-3,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $63,896
25th Percentile $78,792
Median (50th) $101,195
75th Percentile $131,712
90th Percentile $170,716

Veterinarian Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$94,999
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$90,869
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$88,804
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$87,771
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Veterinarian in New Orleans

Education

Most veterinarian positions require a doctoral degree. New Orleans and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

DiagnosisSurgeryPharmacologyAnimal HandlingClient CommunicationRadiology

Job Outlook

Nationally, veterinarian employment is projected to grow 19% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in New Orleans may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Veterinarian Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open veterinarian positions in New Orleans, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Veterinarian Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Veterinarian make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median veterinarian salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $101,195 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $103,260. Salaries range from $63,896 (10th percentile) to $170,716 (90th percentile).
How much does a Veterinarian make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $101,195, a veterinarian in New Orleans earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for veterinarian pay? ▼
New Orleans's median veterinarian salary of $101,195 is 7.7% above the Louisiana state average of $93,967. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in New Orleans, LA? ▼
New Orleans has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a veterinarian salary of $101,195 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a veterinarian in New Orleans? ▼
Most veterinarian positions in New Orleans require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Diagnosis, Surgery, Pharmacology, Animal Handling. The job market is projected to grow 19% nationally over the next decade.