Veterinarian Salary

Johnstown vs Pittsburgh: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Johnstown, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Johnstown, PA
$131,423
$63.19/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$135,423
$65.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJohnstown, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$131,423$135,423
Hourly Rate$63.19$65.11
Entry Level (P10)$76,334$95,500
25th Percentile$102,856$112,685
75th Percentile$162,190$172,918
Top Earner (P90)$203,091$307,338
Total Employed5640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Johnstown ($131,423) and Pittsburgh ($135,423) veterinarian salaries.JohnstownPittsburghMedian Salary$131,423$135,423Entry Level (P10)$76,334$95,500Top Earner (P90)$203,091$307,338US Median $137,334

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Johnstown.

The salary gap between Johnstown and Pittsburgh is $4,000 (3.04%). Pittsburgh's median is -1.39% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Johnstown spans $126,757,Pittsburgh spans $211,838. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Johnstown
P10 (Entry)$76,334
P25$102,856
Median$131,423
P75$162,190
P90 (Top)$203,091
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$95,500
P25$112,685
Median$135,423
P75$172,918
P90 (Top)$307,338

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($143,046 effective) pays 6.01% more than Johnstown ($134,931 effective).

Johnstown
Nominal: $131,423
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $134,931
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $135,423
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $143,046

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Johnstown if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,423/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($307,338)
  • Larger job market (640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,046)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Johnstown grew 48.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.3% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

Johnstown, PA

+48.1%

$84,080 (2019) → $124,501 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+11.3%

$115,270 (2019) → $128,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Johnstown or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,423/year, compared to Johnstown at $131,423/year — a difference of $4,000 (3.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Johnstown and Pittsburgh?

Johnstown veterinarians earn $63.19/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $65.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Johnstown to Pittsburgh as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Johnstown and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Johnstown = $134,931, Pittsburgh = $143,046), job availability (5 vs 640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Johnstown vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $76,334 in Johnstown and $95,500 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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