Veterinarian Salary

Atlanta vs Savannah: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Atlanta, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$136,151
$65.46/hr
Savannah, GA
$122,956
$59.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$136,151$122,956
Hourly Rate$65.46$59.11
Entry Level (P10)$80,848$58,322
25th Percentile$111,967$88,164
75th Percentile$165,888$143,741
Top Earner (P90)$176,940$172,823
Total Employed1,610120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($136,151) and Savannah ($122,956) veterinarian salaries.AtlantaSavannahMedian Salary$136,151$122,956Entry Level (P10)$80,848$58,322Top Earner (P90)$176,940$172,823US Median $137,334

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Savannah.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Savannah is $13,195 (10.73%). Atlanta's median is -0.86% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $96,092,Savannah spans $114,501. Savannah has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$80,848
P25$111,967
Median$136,151
P75$165,888
P90 (Top)$176,940
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$58,322
P25$88,164
Median$122,956
P75$143,741
P90 (Top)$172,823

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($136,072 effective) pays 5.36% more than Savannah ($129,147 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $136,151
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $136,072
Savannah
Nominal: $122,956
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $129,147

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,151/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($176,940)
  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,072)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Atlanta grew 37.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 55.4% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+37.7%

$93,700 (2019) → $128,980 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+55.4%

$74,970 (2019) → $116,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Atlanta or Savannah?

Atlanta has a higher median veterinarian salary at $136,151/year, compared to Savannah at $122,956/year — a difference of $13,195 (10.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Savannah?

Atlanta veterinarians earn $65.46/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $59.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Savannah as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $136,072, Savannah = $129,147), job availability (1,610 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Atlanta vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $80,848 in Atlanta and $58,322 in Savannah. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov