Veterinarian Salary

New Castle vs Pittsburgh: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

New Castle, PA
$132,255
$63.59/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$135,423
$65.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Castle, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$132,255$135,423
Hourly Rate$63.59$65.11
Entry Level (P10)$78,833$95,500
25th Percentile$109,754$112,685
75th Percentile$161,395$172,918
Top Earner (P90)$201,433$307,338
Total Employed4640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Castle ($132,255) and Pittsburgh ($135,423) veterinarian salaries.New CastlePittsburghMedian Salary$132,255$135,423Entry Level (P10)$78,833$95,500Top Earner (P90)$201,433$307,338US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Castle and Pittsburgh is $3,168 (2.40%). 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 New Castle spans $122,600,Pittsburgh spans $211,838. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

New Castle
P10 (Entry)$78,833
P25$109,754
Median$132,255
P75$161,395
P90 (Top)$201,433
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 5.35% more than New Castle ($135,785 effective).

New Castle
Nominal: $132,255
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $135,785
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 New Castle 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 New Castle grew 10.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.3% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

New Castle, PA

+10.2%

$113,687 (2024) → $125,289 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+11.3%

$115,270 (2019) → $128,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: New Castle or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,423/year, compared to New Castle at $132,255/year — a difference of $3,168 (2.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Castle and Pittsburgh?

New Castle veterinarians earn $63.59/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $65.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Castle to Pittsburgh as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Castle and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Castle = $135,785, Pittsburgh = $143,046), job availability (4 vs 640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in New Castle vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $78,833 in New Castle 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