Veterinarian Salary

Germantown vs Knoxville: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Germantown, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Germantown, TN
$125,211
$60.20/hr
Knoxville, TN
$127,896
$61.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$125,211$127,896
Hourly Rate$60.20$61.49
Entry Level (P10)$72,622$106,056
25th Percentile$102,875$108,125
75th Percentile$160,270$141,282
Top Earner (P90)$194,077$179,758
Total Employed8260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($125,211) and Knoxville ($127,896) veterinarian salaries.GermantownKnoxvilleMedian Salary$125,211$127,896Entry Level (P10)$72,622$106,056Top Earner (P90)$194,077$179,758US Median $137,334

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Germantown.

The salary gap between Germantown and Knoxville is $2,685 (2.14%). Knoxville's median is -6.87% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $121,455,Knoxville spans $73,702. Germantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$72,622
P25$102,875
Median$125,211
P75$160,270
P90 (Top)$194,077
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$106,056
P25$108,125
Median$127,896
P75$141,282
P90 (Top)$179,758

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($138,163 effective) pays 1.30% more than Germantown ($136,395 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $125,211
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $136,395
Knoxville
Nominal: $127,896
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $138,163

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($194,077)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,896/year)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $138,163)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Germantown grew 25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 77.4% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Germantown, TN

+25.2%

$94,710 (2024) → $118,616 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+77.4%

$68,280 (2019) → $121,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Germantown or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median veterinarian salary at $127,896/year, compared to Germantown at $125,211/year — a difference of $2,685 (2.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Knoxville?

Germantown veterinarians earn $60.20/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $61.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Knoxville as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $136,395, Knoxville = $138,163), job availability (8 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Germantown vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $72,622 in Germantown and $106,056 in Knoxville. The Knoxville 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