verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Veterinarian Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$104,100/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$50.05/hr
▼ 20% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
1,190
public U.S. Median
$130,100
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$115,463 #43 of 49

Veterinarian pay in Kentucky, explained

Veterinarians in Kentucky earn a median of $104,100 per year ($50.05 per hour), which is 20% below the national median of $130,100. Entry-level workers earn around $44,200, while the most experienced veterinarians reach about $169,220. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $104,100 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $104,100 is worth about $115,463 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #43 for real pay (vs #43 on the sticker number).

See the full Veterinarian Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Veterinarian pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$44,200
$21.25/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$104,100
$50.05/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$169,220
$81.36/hr

Veterinarian pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $104,100 $115,463
Illinois $133,580 $133,636 −$29,480
West Virginia $128,990 $144,128 −$24,890
Virginia $126,730 $125,346 −$22,630
Ohio $125,060 $134,801 −$20,960
Indiana $124,530 $133,431 −$20,430
Tennessee $124,350 $135,354 −$20,250
Missouri $114,660 $126,254 −$10,560

Veterinarian in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do veterinarians make in Kentucky?

Veterinarians in Kentucky earn a median of $104,100 per year ($50.05 per hour), compared with $130,100 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay veterinarians well?

At $104,100, Kentucky pays 20% below the national median for veterinarians. An estimated 1,190 work in the state.

Veterinarian salary in other states

All 49 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Kentucky