Veterinarian Salary

Kenosha vs Milwaukee: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Kenosha, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kenosha, WI
$117,161
$56.33/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$124,329
$59.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKenosha, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$117,161$124,329
Hourly Rate$56.33$59.77
Entry Level (P10)$80,848$84,670
25th Percentile$109,128$105,761
75th Percentile$135,233$140,268
Top Earner (P90)$166,109$170,205
Total Employed50430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kenosha ($117,161) and Milwaukee ($124,329) veterinarian salaries.KenoshaMilwaukeeMedian Salary$117,161$124,329Entry Level (P10)$80,848$84,670Top Earner (P90)$166,109$170,205US Median $137,334

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenosha.

The salary gap between Kenosha and Milwaukee is $7,168 (6.12%). Milwaukee's median is -9.47% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kenosha spans $85,261,Milwaukee spans $85,535. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Kenosha
P10 (Entry)$80,848
P25$109,128
Median$117,161
P75$135,233
P90 (Top)$166,109
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$84,670
P25$105,761
Median$124,329
P75$140,268
P90 (Top)$170,205

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($128,258 effective) pays 10.70% more than Kenosha ($115,866 effective).

Kenosha
Nominal: $117,161
CoL Index: 101.118
Adjusted: $115,866
Milwaukee
Nominal: $124,329
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $128,258

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kenosha if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($124,329/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,205)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,258)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Kenosha grew 5.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Kenosha, WI

+5.7%

$104,990 (2024) → $110,990 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+25.3%

$94,000 (2019) → $117,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Kenosha or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median veterinarian salary at $124,329/year, compared to Kenosha at $117,161/year — a difference of $7,168 (6.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kenosha and Milwaukee?

Kenosha veterinarians earn $56.33/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $59.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kenosha to Milwaukee as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kenosha and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kenosha = $115,866, Milwaukee = $128,258), job availability (50 vs 430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Kenosha vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $80,848 in Kenosha and $84,670 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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