Veterinarian Salary

Florence vs Louisville: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Florence, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, KY
$121,524
$58.43/hr
Louisville, KY
$133,705
$64.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$121,524$133,705
Hourly Rate$58.43$64.29
Entry Level (P10)$70,950$77,550
25th Percentile$95,131$98,709
75th Percentile$151,187$171,143
Top Earner (P90)$188,362$207,244
Total Employed7132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($121,524) and Louisville ($133,705) veterinarian salaries.FlorenceLouisvilleMedian Salary$121,524$133,705Entry Level (P10)$70,950$77,550Top Earner (P90)$188,362$207,244US Median $137,334

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Louisville is $12,181 (10.02%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $117,412,Louisville spans $129,694. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$70,950
P25$95,131
Median$121,524
P75$151,187
P90 (Top)$188,362
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$77,550
P25$98,709
Median$133,705
P75$171,143
P90 (Top)$207,244

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($149,726 effective) pays 10.02% more than Florence ($136,085 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $121,524
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $136,085
Louisville
Nominal: $133,705
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $149,726

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,705/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($207,244)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,726)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Florence grew 25.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.1% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Florence, KY

+25.1%

$92,028 (2024) → $115,123 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+25.1%

$101,253 (2024) → $126,663 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Florence or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median veterinarian salary at $133,705/year, compared to Florence at $121,524/year — a difference of $12,181 (10.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Louisville?

Florence veterinarians earn $58.43/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $64.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Louisville as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $136,085, Louisville = $149,726), job availability (7 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Florence vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $70,950 in Florence and $77,550 in Louisville. The Louisville 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