Veterinarian Salary

Cleveland vs Toledo: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$135,761
$65.27/hr
Toledo, OH
$134,030
$64.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHToledo, OH
Median Salary$135,761$134,030
Hourly Rate$65.27$64.43
Entry Level (P10)$53,192$62,017
25th Percentile$91,236$102,055
75th Percentile$171,123$167,281
Top Earner (P90)$224,399$210,751
Total Employed560140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($135,761) and Toledo ($134,030) veterinarian salaries.ClevelandToledoMedian Salary$135,761$134,030Entry Level (P10)$53,192$62,017Top Earner (P90)$224,399$210,751US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Toledo is $1,731 (1.29%). 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,Toledo spans $148,734. 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
Toledo
P10 (Entry)$62,017
P25$102,055
Median$134,030
P75$167,281
P90 (Top)$210,751

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Toledo ($146,553 effective) pays 1.39% more than Cleveland ($144,545 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $135,761
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $144,545
Toledo
Nominal: $134,030
CoL Index: 91.455
Adjusted: $146,553

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)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Toledo if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $146,553)
  • 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 33.7% growth in Toledo over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+27.3%

$101,060 (2019) → $128,610 (2025)

Toledo, OH

+33.7%

$94,980 (2019) → $126,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Cleveland or Toledo?

Cleveland has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,761/year, compared to Toledo at $134,030/year — a difference of $1,731 (1.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Toledo?

Cleveland veterinarians earn $65.27/hr while Toledo hygienists earn $64.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Toledo as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Toledo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $144,545, Toledo = $146,553), job availability (560 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $53,192 in Cleveland and $62,017 in Toledo. The Toledo 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