Veterinarian Salary

New York vs Syracuse: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between New York, NY and Syracuse, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$164,832
$79.24/hr
Syracuse, NY
$131,317
$63.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYSyracuse, NY
Median Salary$164,832$131,317
Hourly Rate$79.24$63.14
Entry Level (P10)$107,091$90,813
25th Percentile$130,356$109,508
75th Percentile$215,437$157,749
Top Earner (P90)$310,125$211,764
Total Employed3,150130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($164,832) and Syracuse ($131,317) veterinarian salaries.New YorkSyracuseMedian Salary$164,832$131,317Entry Level (P10)$107,091$90,813Top Earner (P90)$310,125$211,764US Median $137,334

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Syracuse.

The salary gap between New York and Syracuse is $33,515 (25.52%). New York's median is +20.02% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $203,034,Syracuse spans $120,951. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$107,091
P25$130,356
Median$164,832
P75$215,437
P90 (Top)$310,125
Syracuse
P10 (Entry)$90,813
P25$109,508
Median$131,317
P75$157,749
P90 (Top)$211,764

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($146,435 effective) pays 6.76% more than Syracuse ($137,157 effective).

New York
Nominal: $164,832
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $146,435
Syracuse
Nominal: $131,317
CoL Index: 95.742
Adjusted: $137,157

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($164,832/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($310,125)
  • Larger job market (3,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $146,435)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Syracuse if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in New York grew 33.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.0% growth in Syracuse over the same period.

New York, NY

+33.3%

$117,160 (2019) → $156,150 (2025)

Syracuse, NY

+37.0%

$90,790 (2019) → $124,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: New York or Syracuse?

New York has a higher median veterinarian salary at $164,832/year, compared to Syracuse at $131,317/year — a difference of $33,515 (25.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Syracuse?

New York veterinarians earn $79.24/hr while Syracuse hygienists earn $63.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Syracuse as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Syracuse. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $146,435, Syracuse = $137,157), job availability (3,150 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in New York vs Syracuse?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $107,091 in New York and $90,813 in Syracuse. The New York 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