Veterinarian Salary

Coon Rapids vs St. Cloud: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Coon Rapids, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coon Rapids, MN
$132,894
$63.90/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$128,150
$61.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoon Rapids, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$132,894$128,150
Hourly Rate$63.90$61.62
Entry Level (P10)$77,079$85,873
25th Percentile$103,517$102,034
75th Percentile$170,104$156,999
Top Earner (P90)$205,986$208,724
Total Employed1060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coon Rapids ($132,894) and St. Cloud ($128,150) veterinarian salaries.Coon RapidsSt. CloudMedian Salary$132,894$128,150Entry Level (P10)$77,079$85,873Top Earner (P90)$205,986$208,724US Median $137,334

Verdict

Coon Rapids and St. Cloud are closely matched on overall veterinarian compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Coon Rapids and St. Cloud is $4,744 (3.70%). Coon Rapids's median is -3.23% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coon Rapids spans $128,907,St. Cloud spans $122,851. Coon Rapids has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Coon Rapids
P10 (Entry)$77,079
P25$103,517
Median$132,894
P75$170,104
P90 (Top)$205,986
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$85,873
P25$102,034
Median$128,150
P75$156,999
P90 (Top)$208,724

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($146,237 effective) pays 8.39% more than Coon Rapids ($134,918 effective).

Coon Rapids
Nominal: $132,894
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $134,918
St. Cloud
Nominal: $128,150
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $146,237

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coon Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,894/year)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($208,724)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $146,237)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Coon Rapids grew 6.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.7% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Coon Rapids, MN

+6.4%

$118,283 (2024) → $125,894 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+40.7%

$86,310 (2019) → $121,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Coon Rapids or St. Cloud?

Coon Rapids has a higher median veterinarian salary at $132,894/year, compared to St. Cloud at $128,150/year — a difference of $4,744 (3.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coon Rapids and St. Cloud?

Coon Rapids veterinarians earn $63.90/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $61.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coon Rapids to St. Cloud as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coon Rapids and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coon Rapids = $134,918, St. Cloud = $146,237), job availability (10 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Coon Rapids vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $77,079 in Coon Rapids and $85,873 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud 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