Veterinarian Salary

Austin vs Horizon City: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Austin, TX and Horizon City, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$140,659
$67.62/hr
Horizon City, TX
$121,535
$58.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXHorizon City, TX
Median Salary$140,659$121,535
Hourly Rate$67.62$58.43
Entry Level (P10)$90,085$76,929
25th Percentile$128,350$99,438
75th Percentile$173,118$151,560
Top Earner (P90)$223,544$188,380
Total Employed7006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($140,659) and Horizon City ($121,535) veterinarian salaries.AustinHorizon CityMedian Salary$140,659$121,535Entry Level (P10)$90,085$76,929Top Earner (P90)$223,544$188,380US Median $137,334

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Horizon City.

The salary gap between Austin and Horizon City is $19,124 (15.74%). Austin's median is +2.42% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $133,459,Horizon City spans $111,451. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$90,085
P25$128,350
Median$140,659
P75$173,118
P90 (Top)$223,544
Horizon City
P10 (Entry)$76,929
P25$99,438
Median$121,535
P75$151,560
P90 (Top)$188,380

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($143,433 effective) pays 13.30% more than Horizon City ($126,599 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $140,659
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $143,433
Horizon City
Nominal: $121,535
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $126,599

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,659/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($223,544)
  • Larger job market (700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,433)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Horizon City if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Austin grew 29.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.2% growth in Horizon City over the same period.

Austin, TX

+29.3%

$103,070 (2019) → $133,250 (2025)

Horizon City, TX

+9.2%

$105,431 (2024) → $115,134 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Austin or Horizon City?

Austin has a higher median veterinarian salary at $140,659/year, compared to Horizon City at $121,535/year — a difference of $19,124 (15.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Horizon City?

Austin veterinarians earn $67.62/hr while Horizon City hygienists earn $58.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Horizon City as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Horizon City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $143,433, Horizon City = $126,599), job availability (700 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Austin vs Horizon City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $90,085 in Austin and $76,929 in Horizon City. The Austin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AN

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