Veterinarian Salary

Auburn Hills vs Lansing: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Auburn Hills, MI and Lansing, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Auburn Hills, MI
$128,455
$61.75/hr
Lansing, MI
$129,322
$62.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAuburn Hills, MILansing, MI
Median Salary$128,455$129,322
Hourly Rate$61.75$62.17
Entry Level (P10)$74,504$81,387
25th Percentile$98,215$98,255
75th Percentile$164,422$162,731
Top Earner (P90)$199,105$180,624
Total Employed4140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Auburn Hills ($128,455) and Lansing ($129,322) veterinarian salaries.Auburn HillsLansingMedian Salary$128,455$129,322Entry Level (P10)$74,504$81,387Top Earner (P90)$199,105$180,624US Median $137,334

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Auburn Hills.

The salary gap between Auburn Hills and Lansing is $867 (0.67%). Lansing's median is -5.83% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Auburn Hills spans $124,601,Lansing spans $99,237. Auburn Hills has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Auburn Hills
P10 (Entry)$74,504
P25$98,215
Median$128,455
P75$164,422
P90 (Top)$199,105
Lansing
P10 (Entry)$81,387
P25$98,255
Median$129,322
P75$162,731
P90 (Top)$180,624

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Auburn Hills ($137,827 effective) pays 1.24% more than Lansing ($136,141 effective).

Auburn Hills
Nominal: $128,455
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $137,827
Lansing
Nominal: $129,322
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $136,141

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Auburn Hills if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($199,105)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,827)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,322/year)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Auburn Hills grew 15.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.4% growth in Lansing over the same period.

Auburn Hills, MI

+15.3%

$105,561 (2024) → $121,689 (2025)

Lansing, MI

+17.4%

$104,350 (2019) → $122,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Auburn Hills or Lansing?

Lansing has a higher median veterinarian salary at $129,322/year, compared to Auburn Hills at $128,455/year — a difference of $867 (0.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Auburn Hills and Lansing?

Auburn Hills veterinarians earn $61.75/hr while Lansing hygienists earn $62.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Auburn Hills to Lansing as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Auburn Hills and Lansing. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Auburn Hills = $137,827, Lansing = $136,141), job availability (4 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Auburn Hills vs Lansing?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $74,504 in Auburn Hills and $81,387 in Lansing. The Lansing 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