Veterinarian Salary

Colorado Springs vs Loveland: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Loveland, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$133,840
$64.35/hr
Loveland, CO
$115,858
$55.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COLoveland, CO
Median Salary$133,840$115,858
Hourly Rate$64.35$55.70
Entry Level (P10)$81,672$67,197
25th Percentile$111,028$89,948
75th Percentile$166,542$147,152
Top Earner (P90)$214,012$179,581
Total Employed28017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($133,840) and Loveland ($115,858) veterinarian salaries.Colorado SpringsLovelandMedian Salary$133,840$115,858Entry Level (P10)$81,672$67,197Top Earner (P90)$214,012$179,581US Median $137,334

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Loveland.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Loveland is $17,982 (15.52%). Colorado Springs's median is -2.54% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $132,340,Loveland spans $112,384. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$81,672
P25$111,028
Median$133,840
P75$166,542
P90 (Top)$214,012
Loveland
P10 (Entry)$67,197
P25$89,948
Median$115,858
P75$147,152
P90 (Top)$179,581

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($132,900 effective) pays 20.45% more than Loveland ($110,341 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $133,840
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $132,900
Loveland
Nominal: $115,858
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $110,341

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,840/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($214,012)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,900)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Loveland if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Colorado Springs grew 65.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.8% growth in Loveland over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+65.9%

$76,440 (2019) → $126,790 (2025)

Loveland, CO

+-12.8%

$125,810 (2024) → $109,756 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Colorado Springs or Loveland?

Colorado Springs has a higher median veterinarian salary at $133,840/year, compared to Loveland at $115,858/year — a difference of $17,982 (15.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Loveland?

Colorado Springs veterinarians earn $64.35/hr while Loveland hygienists earn $55.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Loveland as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Loveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $132,900, Loveland = $110,341), job availability (280 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Colorado Springs vs Loveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $81,672 in Colorado Springs and $67,197 in Loveland. The Colorado Springs 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