Veterinarian Salary

Huntington vs South Charleston: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Huntington, WV and South Charleston, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntington, WV
$117,594
$56.54/hr
South Charleston, WV
$113,797
$54.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntington, WVSouth Charleston, WV
Median Salary$117,594$113,797
Hourly Rate$56.54$54.71
Entry Level (P10)$56,285$68,079
25th Percentile$97,432$90,143
75th Percentile$164,199$139,039
Top Earner (P90)$178,650$173,593
Total Employed605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntington ($117,594) and South Charleston ($113,797) veterinarian salaries.HuntingtonSouth CharlestonMedian Salary$117,594$113,797Entry Level (P10)$56,285$68,079Top Earner (P90)$178,650$173,593US Median $137,334

Verdict

Huntington, WV offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Charleston.

The salary gap between Huntington and South Charleston is $3,797 (3.34%). Huntington's median is -14.37% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntington spans $122,365,South Charleston spans $105,514. Huntington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntington
P10 (Entry)$56,285
P25$97,432
Median$117,594
P75$164,199
P90 (Top)$178,650
South Charleston
P10 (Entry)$68,079
P25$90,143
Median$113,797
P75$139,039
P90 (Top)$173,593

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntington ($132,992 effective) pays 1.09% more than South Charleston ($131,557 effective).

Huntington
Nominal: $117,594
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $132,992
South Charleston
Nominal: $113,797
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $131,557

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntington if…

  • Higher median salary ($117,594/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($178,650)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,992)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose South Charleston if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Huntington grew 36.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.4% growth in South Charleston over the same period.

Huntington, WV

+36.6%

$81,540 (2019) → $111,400 (2025)

South Charleston, WV

+41.4%

$76,232 (2024) → $107,803 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Huntington or South Charleston?

Huntington has a higher median veterinarian salary at $117,594/year, compared to South Charleston at $113,797/year — a difference of $3,797 (3.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntington and South Charleston?

Huntington veterinarians earn $56.54/hr while South Charleston hygienists earn $54.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntington to South Charleston as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntington and South Charleston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntington = $132,992, South Charleston = $131,557), job availability (60 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Huntington vs South Charleston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $56,285 in Huntington and $68,079 in South Charleston. The South Charleston 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