Healthcare Las Cruces, NM Pop. 111,385

Veterinarian Salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico

The median veterinarian salary in Las Cruces, NM is $88,804 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 5.5% below the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$88,804
vs State Avg
$-5,163
vs National
$-14,456
Cost of Living
88%

Veterinarian Pay in Las Cruces: What to Expect (2026)

Las Cruces offers a median veterinarian salary of $88,804, which is $5,163 below the New Mexico state average of $93,967. Compared to the national median of $103,260, Las Cruces pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Las Cruces's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $88,804 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $100,914 in an average-cost city. This makes Las Cruces an attractive option for veterinarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for veterinarians in Las Cruces spans from $56,072 at the 10th percentile to $149,812 at the 90th percentile — a $93,740 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,480, while senior veterinarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,300. With a population of 111,385, Las Cruces is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Veterinarian Salary in Las Cruces by Experience

In Las Cruces, an entry-level veterinarian earns around $58,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,300
$-14,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,300
$-21,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Las Cruces, NM

Percentile Las Cruces
10th Percentile $56,072
25th Percentile $69,144
Median (50th) $88,804
75th Percentile $115,584
90th Percentile $149,812

Veterinarian Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$111,521
Pop. 87,505
Albuquerque, NM
$96,032
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$92,934
Pop. 104,046
Roswell, NM
$82,608
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Veterinarian in Las Cruces

Education

Most veterinarian positions require a doctoral degree. Las Cruces and the surrounding New Mexico 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 Las Cruces may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Veterinarian Jobs in Las Cruces

Browse open veterinarian positions in Las Cruces, NM:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Veterinarian Salary in Las Cruces

How much does a Veterinarian make in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
The median veterinarian salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico is $88,804 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $103,260. Salaries range from $56,072 (10th percentile) to $149,812 (90th percentile).
How much does a Veterinarian make per hour in Las Cruces? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $88,804, a veterinarian in Las Cruces earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Las Cruces compare to the New Mexico state average for veterinarian pay? ▼
Las Cruces's median veterinarian salary of $88,804 is 5.5% below the New Mexico state average of $93,967. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Las Cruces, NM? ▼
Las Cruces has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a veterinarian salary of $88,804 in Las Cruces has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a veterinarian in Las Cruces? ▼
Most veterinarian positions in Las Cruces 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.