Veterinarian Salary

Pittsburgh vs Scranton: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Pittsburgh, PA
$135,423
$65.11/hr
Scranton, PA
$134,019
$64.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPittsburgh, PAScranton, PA
Median Salary$135,423$134,019
Hourly Rate$65.11$64.43
Entry Level (P10)$95,500$76,827
25th Percentile$112,685$105,159
75th Percentile$172,918$163,586
Top Earner (P90)$307,338$227,978
Total Employed640100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pittsburgh ($135,423) and Scranton ($134,019) veterinarian salaries.PittsburghScrantonMedian Salary$135,423$134,019Entry Level (P10)$95,500$76,827Top Earner (P90)$307,338$227,978US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Pittsburgh and Scranton is $1,404 (1.05%). 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 Pittsburgh spans $211,838,Scranton spans $151,151. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$95,500
P25$112,685
Median$135,423
P75$172,918
P90 (Top)$307,338
Scranton
P10 (Entry)$76,827
P25$105,159
Median$134,019
P75$163,586
P90 (Top)$227,978

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Scranton ($143,250 effective) pays 0.14% more than Pittsburgh ($143,046 effective).

Pittsburgh
Nominal: $135,423
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $143,046
Scranton
Nominal: $134,019
CoL Index: 93.556
Adjusted: $143,250

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,423/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($307,338)
  • Larger job market (640 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Scranton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,250)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Pittsburgh grew 11.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 64.9% growth in Scranton over the same period.

Pittsburgh, PA

+11.3%

$115,270 (2019) → $128,290 (2025)

Scranton, PA

+64.9%

$77,000 (2019) → $126,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Pittsburgh or Scranton?

Pittsburgh has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,423/year, compared to Scranton at $134,019/year — a difference of $1,404 (1.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pittsburgh and Scranton?

Pittsburgh veterinarians earn $65.11/hr while Scranton hygienists earn $64.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pittsburgh to Scranton as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pittsburgh and Scranton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pittsburgh = $143,046, Scranton = $143,250), job availability (640 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Pittsburgh vs Scranton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $95,500 in Pittsburgh and $76,827 in Scranton. 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