Veterinarian Salary

Alabaster vs Huntsville: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Alabaster, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alabaster, AL
$105,044
$50.50/hr
Huntsville, AL
$118,470
$56.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlabaster, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$105,044$118,470
Hourly Rate$50.50$56.96
Entry Level (P10)$65,626$80,131
25th Percentile$85,732$105,824
75th Percentile$130,138$140,901
Top Earner (P90)$162,818$185,691
Total Employed8130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alabaster ($105,044) and Huntsville ($118,470) veterinarian salaries.AlabasterHuntsvilleMedian Salary$105,044$118,470Entry Level (P10)$65,626$80,131Top Earner (P90)$162,818$185,691US Median $137,334

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alabaster.

The salary gap between Alabaster and Huntsville is $13,426 (12.78%). Huntsville's median is -13.74% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alabaster spans $97,192,Huntsville spans $105,560. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Alabaster
P10 (Entry)$65,626
P25$85,732
Median$105,044
P75$130,138
P90 (Top)$162,818
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$80,131
P25$105,824
Median$118,470
P75$140,901
P90 (Top)$185,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($127,289 effective) pays 6.51% more than Alabaster ($119,504 effective).

Alabaster
Nominal: $105,044
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $119,504
Huntsville
Nominal: $118,470
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $127,289

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alabaster if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,470/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($185,691)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $127,289)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Alabaster grew 19.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Alabaster, AL

+19.2%

$83,467 (2024) → $99,511 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+10.0%

$102,060 (2019) → $112,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Alabaster or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median veterinarian salary at $118,470/year, compared to Alabaster at $105,044/year — a difference of $13,426 (12.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alabaster and Huntsville?

Alabaster veterinarians earn $50.50/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $56.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alabaster to Huntsville as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alabaster and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alabaster = $119,504, Huntsville = $127,289), job availability (8 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Alabaster vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $65,626 in Alabaster and $80,131 in Huntsville. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
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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