Veterinarian Salary

Sunrise vs Tampa: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Sunrise, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sunrise, FL
$134,571
$64.70/hr
Tampa, FL
$138,484
$66.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSunrise, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$134,571$138,484
Hourly Rate$64.70$66.58
Entry Level (P10)$78,051$65,869
25th Percentile$105,367$81,682
75th Percentile$171,603$175,926
Top Earner (P90)$208,586$219,480
Total Employed231,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sunrise ($134,571) and Tampa ($138,484) veterinarian salaries.SunriseTampaMedian Salary$134,571$138,484Entry Level (P10)$78,051$65,869Top Earner (P90)$208,586$219,480US Median $137,334

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sunrise.

The salary gap between Sunrise and Tampa is $3,913 (2.91%). Tampa's median is +0.84% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sunrise spans $130,535,Tampa spans $153,611. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Sunrise
P10 (Entry)$78,051
P25$105,367
Median$134,571
P75$171,603
P90 (Top)$208,586
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$65,869
P25$81,682
Median$138,484
P75$175,926
P90 (Top)$219,480

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($137,262 effective) pays 2.82% more than Sunrise ($133,503 effective).

Sunrise
Nominal: $134,571
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $133,503
Tampa
Nominal: $138,484
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $137,262

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sunrise if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,484/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,480)
  • Larger job market (1,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,262)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Sunrise grew 20.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 58.9% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Sunrise, FL

+20.5%

$105,788 (2024) → $127,483 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+58.9%

$82,560 (2019) → $131,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Sunrise or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median veterinarian salary at $138,484/year, compared to Sunrise at $134,571/year — a difference of $3,913 (2.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sunrise and Tampa?

Sunrise veterinarians earn $64.70/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $66.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sunrise to Tampa as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sunrise and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sunrise = $133,503, Tampa = $137,262), job availability (23 vs 1,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Sunrise vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $78,051 in Sunrise and $65,869 in Tampa. The Sunrise area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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