Veterinarian Salary

Milwaukee vs Pewaukee: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$124,329
$59.77/hr
Pewaukee, WI
$108,586
$52.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIPewaukee, WI
Median Salary$124,329$108,586
Hourly Rate$59.77$52.21
Entry Level (P10)$84,670$63,957
25th Percentile$105,761$85,284
75th Percentile$140,268$134,452
Top Earner (P90)$170,205$164,272
Total Employed4304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($124,329) and Pewaukee ($108,586) veterinarian salaries.MilwaukeePewaukeeMedian Salary$124,329$108,586Entry Level (P10)$84,670$63,957Top Earner (P90)$170,205$164,272US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Pewaukee is $15,743 (14.50%). 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 Milwaukee spans $85,535,Pewaukee spans $100,315. Pewaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$84,670
P25$105,761
Median$124,329
P75$140,268
P90 (Top)$170,205
Pewaukee
P10 (Entry)$63,957
P25$85,284
Median$108,586
P75$134,452
P90 (Top)$164,272

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($128,258 effective) pays 10.32% more than Pewaukee ($116,259 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $124,329
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $128,258
Pewaukee
Nominal: $108,586
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $116,259

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Pewaukee if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Milwaukee grew 25.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.4% growth in Pewaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+25.3%

$94,000 (2019) → $117,780 (2025)

Pewaukee, WI

+1.4%

$101,453 (2024) → $102,867 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Milwaukee or Pewaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median veterinarian salary at $124,329/year, compared to Pewaukee at $108,586/year — a difference of $15,743 (14.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Pewaukee?

Milwaukee veterinarians earn $59.77/hr while Pewaukee hygienists earn $52.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Pewaukee as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Pewaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $128,258, Pewaukee = $116,259), job availability (430 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $84,670 in Milwaukee and $63,957 in Pewaukee. The Milwaukee 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