Veterinarian Salary

Gulfport vs Pearl: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Gulfport, MS and Pearl, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$110,257
$53.01/hr
Pearl, MS
$116,580
$56.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSPearl, MS
Median Salary$110,257$116,580
Hourly Rate$53.01$56.05
Entry Level (P10)$76,225$67,616
25th Percentile$84,828$91,204
75th Percentile$154,392$144,981
Top Earner (P90)$172,960$180,700
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($110,257) and Pearl ($116,580) veterinarian salaries.GulfportPearlMedian Salary$110,257$116,580Entry Level (P10)$76,225$67,616Top Earner (P90)$172,960$180,700US Median $137,334

Verdict

Pearl, MS offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gulfport.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Pearl is $6,323 (5.73%). Pearl's median is -15.11% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $96,735,Pearl spans $113,084. Pearl has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$76,225
P25$84,828
Median$110,257
P75$154,392
P90 (Top)$172,960
Pearl
P10 (Entry)$67,616
P25$91,204
Median$116,580
P75$144,981
P90 (Top)$180,700

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pearl ($136,033 effective) pays 11.05% more than Gulfport ($122,500 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $110,257
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $122,500
Pearl
Nominal: $116,580
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $136,033

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Pearl if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,580/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($180,700)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,033)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Gulfport grew 78.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 44.6% growth in Pearl over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+78.3%

$58,580 (2019) → $104,450 (2025)

Pearl, MS

+44.6%

$76,399 (2024) → $110,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Gulfport or Pearl?

Pearl has a higher median veterinarian salary at $116,580/year, compared to Gulfport at $110,257/year — a difference of $6,323 (5.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Pearl?

Gulfport veterinarians earn $53.01/hr while Pearl hygienists earn $56.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Pearl as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Pearl. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $122,500, Pearl = $136,033), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Gulfport vs Pearl?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $76,225 in Gulfport and $67,616 in Pearl. The Gulfport 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