Veterinarian Salary

Minneapolis vs Woodbury: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Minneapolis, MN and Woodbury, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Minneapolis, MN
$166,996
$80.29/hr
Woodbury, MN
$139,035
$66.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNWoodbury, MN
Median Salary$166,996$139,035
Hourly Rate$80.29$66.84
Entry Level (P10)$91,373$80,640
25th Percentile$128,720$107,500
75th Percentile$177,858$176,148
Top Earner (P90)$230,997$215,505
Total Employed1,47018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($166,996) and Woodbury ($139,035) veterinarian salaries.MinneapolisWoodburyMedian Salary$166,996$139,035Entry Level (P10)$91,373$80,640Top Earner (P90)$230,997$215,505US Median $137,334

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodbury.

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Woodbury is $27,961 (20.11%). Minneapolis's median is +21.60% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minneapolis spans $139,624,Woodbury spans $134,865. Minneapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$91,373
P25$128,720
Median$166,996
P75$177,858
P90 (Top)$230,997
Woodbury
P10 (Entry)$80,640
P25$107,500
Median$139,035
P75$176,148
P90 (Top)$215,505

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($159,314 effective) pays 12.87% more than Woodbury ($141,152 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $166,996
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $159,314
Woodbury
Nominal: $139,035
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $141,152

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($166,996/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($230,997)
  • Larger job market (1,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $159,314)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Woodbury if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Minneapolis grew 65.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.4% growth in Woodbury over the same period.

Minneapolis, MN

+65.7%

$95,460 (2019) → $158,200 (2025)

Woodbury, MN

+6.4%

$123,748 (2024) → $131,712 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Minneapolis or Woodbury?

Minneapolis has a higher median veterinarian salary at $166,996/year, compared to Woodbury at $139,035/year — a difference of $27,961 (20.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Woodbury?

Minneapolis veterinarians earn $80.29/hr while Woodbury hygienists earn $66.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minneapolis to Woodbury as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Woodbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $159,314, Woodbury = $141,152), job availability (1,470 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Minneapolis vs Woodbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $91,373 in Minneapolis and $80,640 in Woodbury. The Minneapolis 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