Veterinarian Salary

College Station vs Dallas: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between College Station, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

College Station, TX
$122,629
$58.96/hr
Dallas, TX
$140,975
$67.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollege Station, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$122,629$140,975
Hourly Rate$58.96$67.78
Entry Level (P10)$42,118$90,423
25th Percentile$42,984$126,683
75th Percentile$207,383$174,755
Top Earner (P90)$299,421$220,842
Total Employed2301,760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing College Station ($122,629) and Dallas ($140,975) veterinarian salaries.College StationDallasMedian Salary$122,629$140,975Entry Level (P10)$42,118$90,423Top Earner (P90)$299,421$220,842US Median $137,334

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to College Station.

The salary gap between College Station and Dallas is $18,346 (14.96%). Dallas's median is +2.65% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in College Station spans $257,303,Dallas spans $130,419. College Station has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

College Station
P10 (Entry)$42,118
P25$42,984
Median$122,629
P75$207,383
P90 (Top)$299,421
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$90,423
P25$126,683
Median$140,975
P75$174,755
P90 (Top)$220,842

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($136,749 effective) pays 1.42% more than College Station ($134,830 effective).

College Station
Nominal: $122,629
CoL Index: 90.951
Adjusted: $134,830
Dallas
Nominal: $140,975
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $136,749

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose College Station if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($299,421)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,975/year)
  • Larger job market (1,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,749)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in College Station grew 85.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.0% growth in Dallas over the same period.

College Station, TX

+85.7%

$62,570 (2019) → $116,170 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+37.0%

$97,460 (2019) → $133,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: College Station or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median veterinarian salary at $140,975/year, compared to College Station at $122,629/year — a difference of $18,346 (14.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between College Station and Dallas?

College Station veterinarians earn $58.96/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $67.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from College Station to Dallas as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing College Station and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: College Station = $134,830, Dallas = $136,749), job availability (230 vs 1,760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in College Station vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $42,118 in College Station and $90,423 in Dallas. The Dallas 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