Veterinarian Salary

Portland vs Woodburn: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Portland, OR and Woodburn, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, OR
$139,044
$66.85/hr
Woodburn, OR
$132,716
$63.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORWoodburn, OR
Median Salary$139,044$132,716
Hourly Rate$66.85$63.81
Entry Level (P10)$88,322$76,975
25th Percentile$110,426$102,676
75th Percentile$173,182$166,994
Top Earner (P90)$231,071$205,710
Total Employed1,0104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($139,044) and Woodburn ($132,716) veterinarian salaries.PortlandWoodburnMedian Salary$139,044$132,716Entry Level (P10)$88,322$76,975Top Earner (P90)$231,071$205,710US Median $137,334

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodburn.

The salary gap between Portland and Woodburn is $6,328 (4.77%). Portland's median is +1.25% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $142,749,Woodburn spans $128,735. Portland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$88,322
P25$110,426
Median$139,044
P75$173,182
P90 (Top)$231,071
Woodburn
P10 (Entry)$76,975
P25$102,676
Median$132,716
P75$166,994
P90 (Top)$205,710

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($131,894 effective) pays 1.96% more than Woodburn ($129,353 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $139,044
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $131,894
Woodburn
Nominal: $132,716
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $129,353

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,044/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($231,071)
  • Larger job market (1,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,894)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Woodburn if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Portland grew 20.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.0% growth in Woodburn over the same period.

Portland, OR

+20.3%

$109,460 (2019) → $131,720 (2025)

Woodburn, OR

+-7.0%

$135,232 (2024) → $125,726 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Portland or Woodburn?

Portland has a higher median veterinarian salary at $139,044/year, compared to Woodburn at $132,716/year — a difference of $6,328 (4.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and Woodburn?

Portland veterinarians earn $66.85/hr while Woodburn hygienists earn $63.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to Woodburn as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and Woodburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $131,894, Woodburn = $129,353), job availability (1,010 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Portland vs Woodburn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $88,322 in Portland and $76,975 in Woodburn. The Portland 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