Veterinarian Salary

Hannibal vs St. Louis: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Hannibal, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hannibal, MO
$100,054
$48.10/hr
St. Louis, MO
$129,269
$62.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHannibal, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$100,054$129,269
Hourly Rate$48.10$62.14
Entry Level (P10)$61,996$78,832
25th Percentile$80,811$109,455
75th Percentile$123,859$161,982
Top Earner (P90)$154,751$206,349
Total Employed4810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hannibal ($100,054) and St. Louis ($129,269) veterinarian salaries.HannibalSt. LouisMedian Salary$100,054$129,269Entry Level (P10)$61,996$78,832Top Earner (P90)$154,751$206,349US Median $137,334

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hannibal.

The salary gap between Hannibal and St. Louis is $29,215 (29.20%). St. Louis's median is -5.87% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hannibal spans $92,755,St. Louis spans $127,517. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Hannibal
P10 (Entry)$61,996
P25$80,811
Median$100,054
P75$123,859
P90 (Top)$154,751
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$78,832
P25$109,455
Median$129,269
P75$161,982
P90 (Top)$206,349

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($135,947 effective) pays 21.74% more than Hannibal ($111,667 effective).

Hannibal
Nominal: $100,054
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $111,667
St. Louis
Nominal: $129,269
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $135,947

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hannibal if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,269/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($206,349)
  • Larger job market (810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,947)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Hannibal grew 8.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Hannibal, MO

+8.2%

$87,638 (2024) → $94,784 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+24.8%

$98,130 (2019) → $122,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Hannibal or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median veterinarian salary at $129,269/year, compared to Hannibal at $100,054/year — a difference of $29,215 (29.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hannibal and St. Louis?

Hannibal veterinarians earn $48.10/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $62.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hannibal to St. Louis as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hannibal and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hannibal = $111,667, St. Louis = $135,947), job availability (4 vs 810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Hannibal vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $61,996 in Hannibal and $78,832 in St. Louis. The St. Louis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AN

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