Veterinarian Salary

Boise City vs Lewiston: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Boise City, ID and Lewiston, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$134,494
$64.66/hr
Lewiston, ID
$125,860
$60.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDLewiston, ID
Median Salary$134,494$125,860
Hourly Rate$64.66$60.51
Entry Level (P10)$74,652$77,600
25th Percentile$108,241$101,568
75th Percentile$150,814$159,533
Top Earner (P90)$178,481$195,083
Total Employed2608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($134,494) and Lewiston ($125,860) veterinarian salaries.Boise CityLewistonMedian Salary$134,494$125,860Entry Level (P10)$74,652$77,600Top Earner (P90)$178,481$195,083US Median $137,334

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lewiston.

The salary gap between Boise City and Lewiston is $8,634 (6.86%). Boise City's median is -2.07% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $103,829,Lewiston spans $117,483. Lewiston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$74,652
P25$108,241
Median$134,494
P75$150,814
P90 (Top)$178,481
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$77,600
P25$101,568
Median$125,860
P75$159,533
P90 (Top)$195,083

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($136,693 effective) pays 3.50% more than Lewiston ($132,067 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $134,494
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $136,693
Lewiston
Nominal: $125,860
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $132,067

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,494/year)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,693)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($195,083)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Boise City grew 15.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.2% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+15.0%

$110,750 (2019) → $127,410 (2025)

Lewiston, ID

+16.2%

$102,644 (2024) → $119,231 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Boise City or Lewiston?

Boise City has a higher median veterinarian salary at $134,494/year, compared to Lewiston at $125,860/year — a difference of $8,634 (6.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Lewiston?

Boise City veterinarians earn $64.66/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $60.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Lewiston as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $136,693, Lewiston = $132,067), job availability (260 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Boise City vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $74,652 in Boise City and $77,600 in Lewiston. The Lewiston 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