Veterinarian Salary

Prescott vs Tucson: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Prescott, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Prescott, AZ
$159,618
$76.74/hr
Tucson, AZ
$138,854
$66.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPrescott, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$159,618$138,854
Hourly Rate$76.74$66.76
Entry Level (P10)$98,605$81,165
25th Percentile$129,448$117,129
75th Percentile$202,941$206,760
Top Earner (P90)$247,408$242,946
Total Employed9250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Prescott ($159,618) and Tucson ($138,854) veterinarian salaries.PrescottTucsonMedian Salary$159,618$138,854Entry Level (P10)$98,605$81,165Top Earner (P90)$247,408$242,946US Median $137,334

Verdict

Prescott, AZ offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Prescott and Tucson is $20,764 (14.95%). Prescott's median is +16.23% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Prescott spans $148,803,Tucson spans $161,781. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Prescott
P10 (Entry)$98,605
P25$129,448
Median$159,618
P75$202,941
P90 (Top)$247,408
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$81,165
P25$117,129
Median$138,854
P75$206,760
P90 (Top)$242,946

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prescott ($162,049 effective) pays 13.08% more than Tucson ($143,302 effective).

Prescott
Nominal: $159,618
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $162,049
Tucson
Nominal: $138,854
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $143,302

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Prescott if…

  • Higher median salary ($159,618/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($247,408)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $162,049)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Prescott grew 200.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 45.2% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Prescott, AZ

+200.6%

$50,300 (2019) → $151,211 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+45.2%

$90,590 (2020) → $131,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Prescott or Tucson?

Prescott has a higher median veterinarian salary at $159,618/year, compared to Tucson at $138,854/year — a difference of $20,764 (14.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Prescott and Tucson?

Prescott veterinarians earn $76.74/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $66.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Prescott to Tucson as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Prescott and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Prescott = $162,049, Tucson = $143,302), job availability (9 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Prescott vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $98,605 in Prescott and $81,165 in Tucson. The Prescott 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