Veterinarian Salary

Franklin vs Milwaukee: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Franklin, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, WI
$109,558
$52.67/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$124,329
$59.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$109,558$124,329
Hourly Rate$52.67$59.77
Entry Level (P10)$67,491$84,670
25th Percentile$85,934$105,761
75th Percentile$138,993$140,268
Top Earner (P90)$169,814$170,205
Total Employed8430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($109,558) and Milwaukee ($124,329) veterinarian salaries.FranklinMilwaukeeMedian Salary$109,558$124,329Entry Level (P10)$67,491$84,670Top Earner (P90)$169,814$170,205US Median $137,334

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Franklin and Milwaukee is $14,771 (13.48%). Milwaukee's median is -9.47% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $102,323,Milwaukee spans $85,535. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$67,491
P25$85,934
Median$109,558
P75$138,993
P90 (Top)$169,814
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$84,670
P25$105,761
Median$124,329
P75$140,268
P90 (Top)$170,205

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($128,258 effective) pays 9.34% more than Franklin ($117,300 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $109,558
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $117,300
Milwaukee
Nominal: $124,329
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $128,258

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($124,329/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,205)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,258)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Franklin grew 1.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Franklin, WI

+1.4%

$102,360 (2024) → $103,787 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+25.3%

$94,000 (2019) → $117,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Franklin or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median veterinarian salary at $124,329/year, compared to Franklin at $109,558/year — a difference of $14,771 (13.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Milwaukee?

Franklin veterinarians earn $52.67/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $59.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Milwaukee as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $117,300, Milwaukee = $128,258), job availability (8 vs 430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Franklin vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $67,491 in Franklin and $84,670 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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