Veterinarian Salary

Jackson vs Tupelo: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Jackson, MS
$110,194
$52.98/hr
Tupelo, MS
$116,553
$56.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, MSTupelo, MS
Median Salary$110,194$116,553
Hourly Rate$52.98$56.03
Entry Level (P10)$77,745$67,601
25th Percentile$84,374$95,658
75th Percentile$130,198$144,915
Top Earner (P90)$171,894$180,657
Total Employed907
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($110,194) and Tupelo ($116,553) veterinarian salaries.JacksonTupeloMedian Salary$110,194$116,553Entry Level (P10)$77,745$67,601Top Earner (P90)$171,894$180,657US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Jackson and Tupelo is $6,359 (5.77%). Tupelo's median is -15.13% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jackson spans $94,149,Tupelo spans $113,056. Tupelo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$77,745
P25$84,374
Median$110,194
P75$130,198
P90 (Top)$171,894
Tupelo
P10 (Entry)$67,601
P25$95,658
Median$116,553
P75$144,915
P90 (Top)$180,657

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tupelo ($136,001 effective) pays 9.90% more than Jackson ($123,747 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $110,194
CoL Index: 89.048
Adjusted: $123,747
Tupelo
Nominal: $116,553
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $136,001

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jackson if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Tupelo if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,553/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($180,657)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,001)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Jackson grew 34.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 44.6% growth in Tupelo over the same period.

Jackson, MS

+34.0%

$77,930 (2019) → $104,390 (2025)

Tupelo, MS

+44.6%

$76,381 (2024) → $110,414 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Jackson or Tupelo?

Tupelo has a higher median veterinarian salary at $116,553/year, compared to Jackson at $110,194/year — a difference of $6,359 (5.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Tupelo?

Jackson veterinarians earn $52.98/hr while Tupelo hygienists earn $56.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jackson to Tupelo as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Tupelo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $123,747, Tupelo = $136,001), job availability (90 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Jackson vs Tupelo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $77,745 in Jackson and $67,601 in Tupelo. The Jackson 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