Veterinarian Salary

Cleveland vs Stow: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Cleveland, OH and Stow, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$135,761
$65.27/hr
Stow, OH
$128,015
$61.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHStow, OH
Median Salary$135,761$128,015
Hourly Rate$65.27$61.54
Entry Level (P10)$53,192$76,395
25th Percentile$91,236$101,834
75th Percentile$171,123$160,835
Top Earner (P90)$224,399$198,423
Total Employed5609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($135,761) and Stow ($128,015) veterinarian salaries.ClevelandStowMedian Salary$135,761$128,015Entry Level (P10)$53,192$76,395Top Earner (P90)$224,399$198,423US Median $137,334

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Stow.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Stow is $7,746 (6.05%). Cleveland's median is -1.15% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $171,207,Stow spans $122,028. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$53,192
P25$91,236
Median$135,761
P75$171,123
P90 (Top)$224,399
Stow
P10 (Entry)$76,395
P25$101,834
Median$128,015
P75$160,835
P90 (Top)$198,423

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($144,545 effective) pays 2.41% more than Stow ($141,141 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $135,761
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $144,545
Stow
Nominal: $128,015
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $141,141

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,761/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($224,399)
  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $144,545)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Stow if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Cleveland grew 27.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Stow over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+27.3%

$101,060 (2019) → $128,610 (2025)

Stow, OH

+25.3%

$96,759 (2024) → $121,272 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Cleveland or Stow?

Cleveland has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,761/year, compared to Stow at $128,015/year — a difference of $7,746 (6.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Stow?

Cleveland veterinarians earn $65.27/hr while Stow hygienists earn $61.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Stow as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Stow. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $144,545, Stow = $141,141), job availability (560 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Cleveland vs Stow?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $53,192 in Cleveland and $76,395 in Stow. The Stow 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