Veterinarian Salary

Fort Collins vs Northglenn: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Fort Collins, CO and Northglenn, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Collins, CO
$118,702
$57.07/hr
Northglenn, CO
$126,922
$61.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Collins, CONorthglenn, CO
Median Salary$118,702$126,922
Hourly Rate$57.07$61.02
Entry Level (P10)$43,712$75,425
25th Percentile$82,178$100,334
75th Percentile$145,018$161,587
Top Earner (P90)$172,971$196,729
Total Employed3009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Collins ($118,702) and Northglenn ($126,922) veterinarian salaries.Fort CollinsNorthglennMedian Salary$118,702$126,922Entry Level (P10)$43,712$75,425Top Earner (P90)$172,971$196,729US Median $137,334

Verdict

Northglenn, CO offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Collins.

The salary gap between Fort Collins and Northglenn is $8,220 (6.92%). Northglenn's median is -7.58% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Collins spans $129,259,Northglenn spans $121,304. Fort Collins has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$43,712
P25$82,178
Median$118,702
P75$145,018
P90 (Top)$172,971
Northglenn
P10 (Entry)$75,425
P25$100,334
Median$126,922
P75$161,587
P90 (Top)$196,729

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Northglenn ($120,878 effective) pays 2.98% more than Fort Collins ($117,378 effective).

Fort Collins
Nominal: $118,702
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $117,378
Northglenn
Nominal: $126,922
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $120,878

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Northglenn if…

  • Higher median salary ($126,922/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($196,729)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $120,878)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Fort Collins grew 28.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.6% growth in Northglenn over the same period.

Fort Collins, CO

+28.2%

$87,730 (2019) → $112,450 (2025)

Northglenn, CO

+-2.6%

$123,500 (2024) → $120,237 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Fort Collins or Northglenn?

Northglenn has a higher median veterinarian salary at $126,922/year, compared to Fort Collins at $118,702/year — a difference of $8,220 (6.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Collins and Northglenn?

Fort Collins veterinarians earn $57.07/hr while Northglenn hygienists earn $61.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Collins to Northglenn as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Collins and Northglenn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Collins = $117,378, Northglenn = $120,878), job availability (300 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Fort Collins vs Northglenn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $43,712 in Fort Collins and $75,425 in Northglenn. The Northglenn 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