Veterinarian Salary

Barnstable Town vs Watertown: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Barnstable Town, MA and Watertown, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable Town, MA
$173,182
$83.27/hr
Watertown, MA
$140,580
$67.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable Town, MAWatertown, MA
Median Salary$173,182$140,580
Hourly Rate$83.27$67.59
Entry Level (P10)$105,359$81,537
25th Percentile$132,151$114,803
75th Percentile$201,493$174,229
Top Earner (P90)$293,077$217,898
Total Employed1007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable Town ($173,182) and Watertown ($140,580) veterinarian salaries.Barnstable TownWatertownMedian Salary$173,182$140,580Entry Level (P10)$105,359$81,537Top Earner (P90)$293,077$217,898US Median $137,334

Verdict

Barnstable Town, MA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Watertown.

The salary gap between Barnstable Town and Watertown is $32,602 (23.19%). Barnstable Town's median is +26.10% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable Town spans $187,718,Watertown spans $136,361. Barnstable Town has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$105,359
P25$132,151
Median$173,182
P75$201,493
P90 (Top)$293,077
Watertown
P10 (Entry)$81,537
P25$114,803
Median$140,580
P75$174,229
P90 (Top)$217,898

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($176,086 effective) pays 35.90% more than Watertown ($129,567 effective).

Barnstable Town
Nominal: $173,182
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $176,086
Watertown
Nominal: $140,580
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $129,567

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($173,182/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($293,077)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $176,086)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Watertown if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Barnstable Town grew 60.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.4% growth in Watertown over the same period.

Barnstable Town, MA

+60.3%

$102,370 (2019) → $164,060 (2025)

Watertown, MA

+-12.4%

$152,072 (2024) → $133,175 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Barnstable Town or Watertown?

Barnstable Town has a higher median veterinarian salary at $173,182/year, compared to Watertown at $140,580/year — a difference of $32,602 (23.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable Town and Watertown?

Barnstable Town veterinarians earn $83.27/hr while Watertown hygienists earn $67.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable Town to Watertown as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable Town and Watertown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable Town = $176,086, Watertown = $129,567), job availability (100 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Barnstable Town vs Watertown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $105,359 in Barnstable Town and $81,537 in Watertown. The Barnstable Town 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