Veterinarian Salary

Broomfield vs Fort Collins: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Broomfield, CO and Fort Collins, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Broomfield, CO
$131,765
$63.35/hr
Fort Collins, CO
$118,702
$57.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBroomfield, COFort Collins, CO
Median Salary$131,765$118,702
Hourly Rate$63.35$57.07
Entry Level (P10)$79,361$43,712
25th Percentile$105,244$82,178
75th Percentile$168,660$145,018
Top Earner (P90)$204,236$172,971
Total Employed18300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Broomfield ($131,765) and Fort Collins ($118,702) veterinarian salaries.BroomfieldFort CollinsMedian Salary$131,765$118,702Entry Level (P10)$79,361$43,712Top Earner (P90)$204,236$172,971US Median $137,334

Verdict

Broomfield, CO offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Collins.

The salary gap between Broomfield and Fort Collins is $13,063 (11.00%). Broomfield's median is -4.06% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Broomfield spans $124,875,Fort Collins spans $129,259. Fort Collins has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Broomfield
P10 (Entry)$79,361
P25$105,244
Median$131,765
P75$168,660
P90 (Top)$204,236
Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$43,712
P25$82,178
Median$118,702
P75$145,018
P90 (Top)$172,971

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Broomfield ($125,490 effective) pays 6.91% more than Fort Collins ($117,378 effective).

Broomfield
Nominal: $131,765
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $125,490
Fort Collins
Nominal: $118,702
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $117,378

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Broomfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,765/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($204,236)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,490)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Broomfield grew -2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.2% growth in Fort Collins over the same period.

Broomfield, CO

+-2.6%

$128,212 (2024) → $124,825 (2025)

Fort Collins, CO

+28.2%

$87,730 (2019) → $112,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Broomfield or Fort Collins?

Broomfield has a higher median veterinarian salary at $131,765/year, compared to Fort Collins at $118,702/year — a difference of $13,063 (11.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Broomfield and Fort Collins?

Broomfield veterinarians earn $63.35/hr while Fort Collins hygienists earn $57.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Broomfield to Fort Collins as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Broomfield and Fort Collins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Broomfield = $125,490, Fort Collins = $117,378), job availability (18 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Broomfield vs Fort Collins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $79,361 in Broomfield and $43,712 in Fort Collins. The Broomfield 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