Veterinarian Salary

Springfield vs Wildwood: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Springfield, MO and Wildwood, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MO
$108,452
$52.14/hr
Wildwood, MO
$107,570
$51.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOWildwood, MO
Median Salary$108,452$107,570
Hourly Rate$52.14$51.71
Entry Level (P10)$65,542$62,903
25th Percentile$101,169$84,367
75th Percentile$142,538$134,045
Top Earner (P90)$186,166$166,733
Total Employed1405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($108,452) and Wildwood ($107,570) veterinarian salaries.SpringfieldWildwoodMedian Salary$108,452$107,570Entry Level (P10)$65,542$62,903Top Earner (P90)$186,166$166,733US Median $137,334

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wildwood.

The salary gap between Springfield and Wildwood is $882 (0.82%). Springfield's median is -21.03% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $120,624,Wildwood spans $103,830. Springfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$65,542
P25$101,169
Median$108,452
P75$142,538
P90 (Top)$186,166
Wildwood
P10 (Entry)$62,903
P25$84,367
Median$107,570
P75$134,045
P90 (Top)$166,733

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($122,427 effective) pays 1.98% more than Wildwood ($120,056 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $108,452
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $122,427
Wildwood
Nominal: $107,570
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $120,056

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,452/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,166)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,427)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Wildwood if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Springfield grew 20.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.2% growth in Wildwood over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+20.7%

$85,120 (2019) → $102,740 (2025)

Wildwood, MO

+8.2%

$94,222 (2024) → $101,904 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Springfield or Wildwood?

Springfield has a higher median veterinarian salary at $108,452/year, compared to Wildwood at $107,570/year — a difference of $882 (0.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Wildwood?

Springfield veterinarians earn $52.14/hr while Wildwood hygienists earn $51.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to Wildwood as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Wildwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $122,427, Wildwood = $120,056), job availability (140 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Springfield vs Wildwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $65,542 in Springfield and $62,903 in Wildwood. The Springfield 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