Veterinarian Salary

Grants Pass vs Portland: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Grants Pass, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grants Pass, OR
$130,287
$62.64/hr
Portland, OR
$139,044
$66.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrants Pass, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$130,287$139,044
Hourly Rate$62.64$66.85
Entry Level (P10)$81,070$88,322
25th Percentile$105,813$110,426
75th Percentile$165,872$173,182
Top Earner (P90)$201,946$231,071
Total Employed71,010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grants Pass ($130,287) and Portland ($139,044) veterinarian salaries.Grants PassPortlandMedian Salary$130,287$139,044Entry Level (P10)$81,070$88,322Top Earner (P90)$201,946$231,071US Median $137,334

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grants Pass.

The salary gap between Grants Pass and Portland is $8,757 (6.72%). Portland's median is +1.25% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grants Pass spans $120,876,Portland spans $142,749. Portland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Grants Pass
P10 (Entry)$81,070
P25$105,813
Median$130,287
P75$165,872
P90 (Top)$201,946
Portland
P10 (Entry)$88,322
P25$110,426
Median$139,044
P75$173,182
P90 (Top)$231,071

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($131,894 effective) pays 3.87% more than Grants Pass ($126,985 effective).

Grants Pass
Nominal: $130,287
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $126,985
Portland
Nominal: $139,044
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $131,894

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grants Pass if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,044/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($231,071)
  • Larger job market (1,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,894)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Grants Pass grew 57.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.3% growth in Portland over the same period.

Grants Pass, OR

+57.6%

$78,310 (2019) → $123,425 (2025)

Portland, OR

+20.3%

$109,460 (2019) → $131,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Grants Pass or Portland?

Portland has a higher median veterinarian salary at $139,044/year, compared to Grants Pass at $130,287/year — a difference of $8,757 (6.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grants Pass and Portland?

Grants Pass veterinarians earn $62.64/hr while Portland hygienists earn $66.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grants Pass to Portland as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grants Pass and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grants Pass = $126,985, Portland = $131,894), job availability (7 vs 1,010 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Grants Pass vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $81,070 in Grants Pass and $88,322 in Portland. The Portland 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