Veterinarian Salary

Redlands vs Sacramento: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Redlands, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Redlands, CA
$170,599
$82.02/hr
Sacramento, CA
$174,448
$83.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRedlands, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$170,599$174,448
Hourly Rate$82.02$83.87
Entry Level (P10)$98,948$92,069
25th Percentile$131,594$134,758
75th Percentile$218,367$227,756
Top Earner (P90)$264,428$311,001
Total Employed16830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Redlands ($170,599) and Sacramento ($174,448) veterinarian salaries.RedlandsSacramentoMedian Salary$170,599$174,448Entry Level (P10)$98,948$92,069Top Earner (P90)$264,428$311,001US Median $137,334

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Redlands.

The salary gap between Redlands and Sacramento is $3,849 (2.26%). Sacramento's median is +27.02% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Redlands spans $165,480,Sacramento spans $218,932. Sacramento has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Redlands
P10 (Entry)$98,948
P25$131,594
Median$170,599
P75$218,367
P90 (Top)$264,428
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$92,069
P25$134,758
Median$174,448
P75$227,756
P90 (Top)$311,001

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($163,540 effective) pays 8.42% more than Redlands ($150,839 effective).

Redlands
Nominal: $170,599
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $150,839
Sacramento
Nominal: $174,448
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $163,540

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Redlands if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($174,448/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($311,001)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $163,540)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Redlands grew -9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 55.3% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Redlands, CA

+-9.5%

$178,493 (2024) → $161,613 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+55.3%

$106,420 (2019) → $165,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Redlands or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median veterinarian salary at $174,448/year, compared to Redlands at $170,599/year — a difference of $3,849 (2.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Redlands and Sacramento?

Redlands veterinarians earn $82.02/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $83.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Redlands to Sacramento as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Redlands and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Redlands = $150,839, Sacramento = $163,540), job availability (16 vs 830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Redlands vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $98,948 in Redlands and $92,069 in Sacramento. The Redlands 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