Veterinarian Salary

Durham vs Greensboro: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Durham, NC and Greensboro, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Durham, NC
$139,867
$67.24/hr
Greensboro, NC
$137,133
$65.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDurham, NCGreensboro, NC
Median Salary$139,867$137,133
Hourly Rate$67.24$65.93
Entry Level (P10)$55,071$82,115
25th Percentile$102,087$107,333
75th Percentile$181,152$181,690
Top Earner (P90)$229,150$218,604
Total Employed210180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Durham ($139,867) and Greensboro ($137,133) veterinarian salaries.DurhamGreensboroMedian Salary$139,867$137,133Entry Level (P10)$55,071$82,115Top Earner (P90)$229,150$218,604US Median $137,334

Verdict

Durham, NC offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greensboro.

The salary gap between Durham and Greensboro is $2,734 (1.99%). Durham's median is +1.84% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Durham spans $174,079,Greensboro spans $136,489. Durham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Durham
P10 (Entry)$55,071
P25$102,087
Median$139,867
P75$181,152
P90 (Top)$229,150
Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$82,115
P25$107,333
Median$137,133
P75$181,690
P90 (Top)$218,604

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($147,669 effective) pays 3.01% more than Durham ($143,347 effective).

Durham
Nominal: $139,867
CoL Index: 97.572
Adjusted: $143,347
Greensboro
Nominal: $137,133
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $147,669

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Durham if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,867/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($229,150)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,669)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Durham grew 10.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 52.5% growth in Greensboro over the same period.

Durham, NC

+10.4%

$120,070 (2019) → $132,500 (2025)

Greensboro, NC

+52.5%

$85,210 (2019) → $129,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Durham or Greensboro?

Durham has a higher median veterinarian salary at $139,867/year, compared to Greensboro at $137,133/year — a difference of $2,734 (1.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Durham and Greensboro?

Durham veterinarians earn $67.24/hr while Greensboro hygienists earn $65.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Durham to Greensboro as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Durham and Greensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Durham = $143,347, Greensboro = $147,669), job availability (210 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Durham vs Greensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $55,071 in Durham and $82,115 in Greensboro. The Greensboro 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