Veterinarian Salary

Eugene vs Milwaukie: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Eugene, OR and Milwaukie, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$132,277
$63.59/hr
Milwaukie, OR
$124,006
$59.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORMilwaukie, OR
Median Salary$132,277$124,006
Hourly Rate$63.59$59.62
Entry Level (P10)$82,136$75,874
25th Percentile$104,188$99,556
75th Percentile$158,414$155,436
Top Earner (P90)$219,649$192,209
Total Employed1506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($132,277) and Milwaukie ($124,006) veterinarian salaries.EugeneMilwaukieMedian Salary$132,277$124,006Entry Level (P10)$82,136$75,874Top Earner (P90)$219,649$192,209US Median $137,334

Verdict

Eugene, OR offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukie.

The salary gap between Eugene and Milwaukie is $8,271 (6.67%). Eugene's median is -3.68% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $137,513,Milwaukie spans $116,335. Eugene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$82,136
P25$104,188
Median$132,277
P75$158,414
P90 (Top)$219,649
Milwaukie
P10 (Entry)$75,874
P25$99,556
Median$124,006
P75$155,436
P90 (Top)$192,209

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Eugene ($130,235 effective) pays 7.75% more than Milwaukie ($120,864 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $132,277
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $130,235
Milwaukie
Nominal: $124,006
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $120,864

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,277/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,649)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $130,235)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukie if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Eugene grew 61.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.0% growth in Milwaukie over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+61.3%

$77,700 (2019) → $125,310 (2025)

Milwaukie, OR

+-7.0%

$126,356 (2024) → $117,474 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Eugene or Milwaukie?

Eugene has a higher median veterinarian salary at $132,277/year, compared to Milwaukie at $124,006/year — a difference of $8,271 (6.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Milwaukie?

Eugene veterinarians earn $63.59/hr while Milwaukie hygienists earn $59.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Milwaukie as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Milwaukie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $130,235, Milwaukie = $120,864), job availability (150 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Eugene vs Milwaukie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $82,136 in Eugene and $75,874 in Milwaukie. The Eugene 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