Veterinarian Salary

St. Paul vs Winona: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between St. Paul, MN and Winona, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Paul, MN
$165,320
$79.48/hr
Winona, MN
$130,050
$62.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Paul, MNWinona, MN
Median Salary$165,320$130,050
Hourly Rate$79.48$62.52
Entry Level (P10)$95,885$77,095
25th Percentile$127,949$102,667
75th Percentile$211,270$162,630
Top Earner (P90)$256,246$201,577
Total Employed804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Paul ($165,320) and Winona ($130,050) veterinarian salaries.St. PaulWinonaMedian Salary$165,320$130,050Entry Level (P10)$95,885$77,095Top Earner (P90)$256,246$201,577US Median $137,334

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Winona.

The salary gap between St. Paul and Winona is $35,270 (27.12%). St. Paul's median is +20.38% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Paul spans $160,361,Winona spans $124,482. St. Paul has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$95,885
P25$127,949
Median$165,320
P75$211,270
P90 (Top)$256,246
Winona
P10 (Entry)$77,095
P25$102,667
Median$130,050
P75$162,630
P90 (Top)$201,577

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($167,838 effective) pays 27.12% more than Winona ($132,030 effective).

St. Paul
Nominal: $165,320
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $167,838
Winona
Nominal: $130,050
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $132,030

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,320/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($256,246)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $167,838)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Winona if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in St. Paul grew 23.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.4% growth in Winona over the same period.

St. Paul, MN

+23.4%

$126,959 (2024) → $156,612 (2025)

Winona, MN

+6.4%

$115,751 (2024) → $123,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: St. Paul or Winona?

St. Paul has a higher median veterinarian salary at $165,320/year, compared to Winona at $130,050/year — a difference of $35,270 (27.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Paul and Winona?

St. Paul veterinarians earn $79.48/hr while Winona hygienists earn $62.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Paul to Winona as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Paul and Winona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Paul = $167,838, Winona = $132,030), job availability (80 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in St. Paul vs Winona?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $95,885 in St. Paul and $77,095 in Winona. The St. Paul 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