Veterinarian Salary

Augusta vs Pooler: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$126,788
$60.96/hr
Pooler, GA
$127,119
$61.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAPooler, GA
Median Salary$126,788$127,119
Hourly Rate$60.96$61.12
Entry Level (P10)$66,154$73,728
25th Percentile$103,544$103,946
75th Percentile$160,641$157,870
Top Earner (P90)$222,805$197,034
Total Employed1406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($126,788) and Pooler ($127,119) veterinarian salaries.AugustaPoolerMedian Salary$126,788$127,119Entry Level (P10)$66,154$73,728Top Earner (P90)$222,805$197,034US Median $137,334

Verdict

Augusta and Pooler are closely matched on overall veterinarian compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Augusta and Pooler is $331 (0.26%). Pooler's median is -7.44% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $156,651,Pooler spans $123,306. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$66,154
P25$103,544
Median$126,788
P75$160,641
P90 (Top)$222,805
Pooler
P10 (Entry)$73,728
P25$103,946
Median$127,119
P75$157,870
P90 (Top)$197,034

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($137,958 effective) pays 1.04% more than Pooler ($136,540 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $126,788
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $137,958
Pooler
Nominal: $127,119
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $136,540

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($222,805)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,958)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Pooler if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,119/year)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Augusta grew 46.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in Pooler over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+46.3%

$82,090 (2019) → $120,110 (2025)

Pooler, GA

+19.0%

$101,169 (2024) → $120,423 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Augusta or Pooler?

Pooler has a higher median veterinarian salary at $127,119/year, compared to Augusta at $126,788/year — a difference of $331 (0.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Pooler?

Augusta veterinarians earn $60.96/hr while Pooler hygienists earn $61.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Pooler as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Pooler. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $137,958, Pooler = $136,540), job availability (140 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Augusta vs Pooler?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $66,154 in Augusta and $73,728 in Pooler. The Pooler area offers higher starting salaries.

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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