Veterinarian Salary

Amherst Town vs Worcester: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Amherst Town, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst Town, MA
$172,728
$83.04/hr
Worcester, MA
$138,231
$66.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$172,728$138,231
Hourly Rate$83.04$66.46
Entry Level (P10)$102,034$100,578
25th Percentile$125,859$120,001
75th Percentile$175,420$178,291
Top Earner (P90)$217,601$223,196
Total Employed60250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($172,728) and Worcester ($138,231) veterinarian salaries.Amherst TownWorcesterMedian Salary$172,728$138,231Entry Level (P10)$102,034$100,578Top Earner (P90)$217,601$223,196US Median $137,334

Verdict

Amherst Town and Worcester are closely matched on overall veterinarian compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Worcester is $34,497 (24.96%). Amherst Town's median is +25.77% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst Town spans $115,567,Worcester spans $122,618. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$102,034
P25$125,859
Median$172,728
P75$175,420
P90 (Top)$217,601
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$100,578
P25$120,001
Median$138,231
P75$178,291
P90 (Top)$223,196

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Amherst Town ($172,309 effective) pays 27.80% more than Worcester ($134,829 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $172,728
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $172,309
Worcester
Nominal: $138,231
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $134,829

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($172,728/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $172,309)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($223,196)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Amherst Town grew 27.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 129.0% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+27.8%

$127,990 (2024) → $163,630 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+129.0%

$57,180 (2019) → $130,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Amherst Town or Worcester?

Amherst Town has a higher median veterinarian salary at $172,728/year, compared to Worcester at $138,231/year — a difference of $34,497 (24.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst Town and Worcester?

Amherst Town veterinarians earn $83.04/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $66.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst Town to Worcester as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $172,309, Worcester = $134,829), job availability (60 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Amherst Town vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $102,034 in Amherst Town and $100,578 in Worcester. The Amherst Town 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