Veterinarian Salary

Hattiesburg vs Oxford: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Hattiesburg, MS
$110,447
$53.10/hr
Oxford, MS
$112,287
$53.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHattiesburg, MSOxford, MS
Median Salary$110,447$112,287
Hourly Rate$53.10$53.98
Entry Level (P10)$64,465$67,662
25th Percentile$86,549$89,541
75th Percentile$138,790$143,727
Top Earner (P90)$164,082$174,045
Total Employed505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hattiesburg ($110,447) and Oxford ($112,287) veterinarian salaries.HattiesburgOxfordMedian Salary$110,447$112,287Entry Level (P10)$64,465$67,662Top Earner (P90)$164,082$174,045US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hattiesburg and Oxford is $1,840 (1.67%). Oxford's median is -18.24% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hattiesburg spans $99,617,Oxford spans $106,383. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$64,465
P25$86,549
Median$110,447
P75$138,790
P90 (Top)$164,082
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$67,662
P25$89,541
Median$112,287
P75$143,727
P90 (Top)$174,045

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oxford ($131,023 effective) pays 3.96% more than Hattiesburg ($126,034 effective).

Hattiesburg
Nominal: $110,447
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $126,034
Oxford
Nominal: $112,287
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $131,023

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,287/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,045)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,023)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Hattiesburg grew 27.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 44.6% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Hattiesburg, MS

+27.6%

$81,970 (2019) → $104,630 (2025)

Oxford, MS

+44.6%

$73,586 (2024) → $106,373 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Hattiesburg or Oxford?

Oxford has a higher median veterinarian salary at $112,287/year, compared to Hattiesburg at $110,447/year — a difference of $1,840 (1.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hattiesburg and Oxford?

Hattiesburg veterinarians earn $53.10/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $53.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hattiesburg to Oxford as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hattiesburg and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hattiesburg = $126,034, Oxford = $131,023), job availability (50 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Hattiesburg vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $64,465 in Hattiesburg and $67,662 in Oxford. The Oxford 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