Veterinarian Salary

Daphne vs Huntsville: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Daphne, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Daphne, AL
$106,020
$50.97/hr
Huntsville, AL
$118,470
$56.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDaphne, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$106,020$118,470
Hourly Rate$50.97$56.96
Entry Level (P10)$61,492$80,131
25th Percentile$81,269$105,824
75th Percentile$130,225$140,901
Top Earner (P90)$164,332$185,691
Total Employed6130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Daphne ($106,020) and Huntsville ($118,470) veterinarian salaries.DaphneHuntsvilleMedian Salary$106,020$118,470Entry Level (P10)$61,492$80,131Top Earner (P90)$164,332$185,691US Median $137,334

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Daphne.

The salary gap between Daphne and Huntsville is $12,450 (11.74%). Huntsville's median is -13.74% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Daphne spans $102,840,Huntsville spans $105,560. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Daphne
P10 (Entry)$61,492
P25$81,269
Median$106,020
P75$130,225
P90 (Top)$164,332
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$80,131
P25$105,824
Median$118,470
P75$140,901
P90 (Top)$185,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($127,289 effective) pays 5.53% more than Daphne ($120,614 effective).

Daphne
Nominal: $106,020
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $120,614
Huntsville
Nominal: $118,470
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $127,289

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Daphne if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,470/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($185,691)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $127,289)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Daphne grew 34.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Daphne, AL

+34.0%

$74,980 (2019) → $100,436 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+10.0%

$102,060 (2019) → $112,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Daphne or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median veterinarian salary at $118,470/year, compared to Daphne at $106,020/year — a difference of $12,450 (11.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Daphne and Huntsville?

Daphne veterinarians earn $50.97/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $56.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Daphne to Huntsville as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Daphne and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Daphne = $120,614, Huntsville = $127,289), job availability (6 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Daphne vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $61,492 in Daphne and $80,131 in Huntsville. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
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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