Veterinarian Salary

Atlanta vs Kennesaw: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Atlanta, GA and Kennesaw, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$136,151
$65.46/hr
Kennesaw, GA
$122,845
$59.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAKennesaw, GA
Median Salary$136,151$122,845
Hourly Rate$65.46$59.06
Entry Level (P10)$80,848$74,283
25th Percentile$111,967$95,327
75th Percentile$165,888$154,667
Top Earner (P90)$176,940$190,410
Total Employed1,6108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($136,151) and Kennesaw ($122,845) veterinarian salaries.AtlantaKennesawMedian Salary$136,151$122,845Entry Level (P10)$80,848$74,283Top Earner (P90)$176,940$190,410US Median $137,334

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennesaw.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Kennesaw is $13,306 (10.83%). Atlanta's median is -0.86% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $96,092,Kennesaw spans $116,127. Kennesaw has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$80,848
P25$111,967
Median$136,151
P75$165,888
P90 (Top)$176,940
Kennesaw
P10 (Entry)$74,283
P25$95,327
Median$122,845
P75$154,667
P90 (Top)$190,410

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($136,072 effective) pays 3.12% more than Kennesaw ($131,950 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $136,151
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $136,072
Kennesaw
Nominal: $122,845
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $131,950

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,151/year)
  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,072)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Kennesaw if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($190,410)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Atlanta grew 37.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in Kennesaw over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+37.7%

$93,700 (2019) → $128,980 (2025)

Kennesaw, GA

+19.0%

$97,768 (2024) → $116,375 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Atlanta or Kennesaw?

Atlanta has a higher median veterinarian salary at $136,151/year, compared to Kennesaw at $122,845/year — a difference of $13,306 (10.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Kennesaw?

Atlanta veterinarians earn $65.46/hr while Kennesaw hygienists earn $59.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Kennesaw as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Kennesaw. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $136,072, Kennesaw = $131,950), job availability (1,610 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Atlanta vs Kennesaw?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $80,848 in Atlanta and $74,283 in Kennesaw. The Atlanta 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