Veterinarian Salary

Shreveport vs Slidell: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Shreveport, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shreveport, LA
$131,918
$63.42/hr
Slidell, LA
$135,645
$65.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShreveport, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$131,918$135,645
Hourly Rate$63.42$65.21
Entry Level (P10)$69,564$71,622
25th Percentile$83,403$95,606
75th Percentile$157,496$162,953
Top Earner (P90)$202,559$172,432
Total Employed80130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shreveport ($131,918) and Slidell ($135,645) veterinarian salaries.ShreveportSlidellMedian Salary$131,918$135,645Entry Level (P10)$69,564$71,622Top Earner (P90)$202,559$172,432US Median $137,334

Verdict

Slidell, LA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Shreveport.

The salary gap between Shreveport and Slidell is $3,727 (2.83%). Slidell's median is -1.23% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shreveport spans $132,995,Slidell spans $100,810. Shreveport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$69,564
P25$83,403
Median$131,918
P75$157,496
P90 (Top)$202,559
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$71,622
P25$95,606
Median$135,645
P75$162,953
P90 (Top)$172,432

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($155,626 effective) pays 6.38% more than Slidell ($146,286 effective).

Shreveport
Nominal: $131,918
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $155,626
Slidell
Nominal: $135,645
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $146,286

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($202,559)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,626)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,645/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Shreveport grew 70.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.6% growth in Slidell over the same period.

Shreveport, LA

+70.6%

$73,270 (2019) → $124,970 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+43.6%

$89,482 (2024) → $128,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Shreveport or Slidell?

Slidell has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,645/year, compared to Shreveport at $131,918/year — a difference of $3,727 (2.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shreveport and Slidell?

Shreveport veterinarians earn $63.42/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $65.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shreveport to Slidell as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shreveport and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shreveport = $155,626, Slidell = $146,286), job availability (80 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Shreveport vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $69,564 in Shreveport and $71,622 in Slidell. The Slidell area offers higher starting salaries.
AN

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