Veterinarian Salary

Hampton vs Roanoke: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Hampton, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hampton, VA
$126,521
$60.82/hr
Roanoke, VA
$128,720
$61.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHampton, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$126,521$128,720
Hourly Rate$60.82$61.89
Entry Level (P10)$73,708$83,772
25th Percentile$99,206$107,270
75th Percentile$161,947$172,031
Top Earner (P90)$196,107$216,936
Total Employed24100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hampton ($126,521) and Roanoke ($128,720) veterinarian salaries.HamptonRoanokeMedian Salary$126,521$128,720Entry Level (P10)$73,708$83,772Top Earner (P90)$196,107$216,936US Median $137,334

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hampton.

The salary gap between Hampton and Roanoke is $2,199 (1.74%). Roanoke's median is -6.27% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hampton spans $122,399,Roanoke spans $133,164. Roanoke has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Hampton
P10 (Entry)$73,708
P25$99,206
Median$126,521
P75$161,947
P90 (Top)$196,107
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$83,772
P25$107,270
Median$128,720
P75$172,031
P90 (Top)$216,936

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($137,495 effective) pays 12.15% more than Hampton ($122,598 effective).

Hampton
Nominal: $126,521
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $122,598
Roanoke
Nominal: $128,720
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $137,495

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hampton if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,720/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($216,936)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,495)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Hampton grew -1.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.2% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Hampton, VA

+-1.5%

$121,641 (2024) → $119,857 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+28.2%

$95,080 (2019) → $121,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Hampton or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a higher median veterinarian salary at $128,720/year, compared to Hampton at $126,521/year — a difference of $2,199 (1.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hampton and Roanoke?

Hampton veterinarians earn $60.82/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $61.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hampton to Roanoke as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hampton and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hampton = $122,598, Roanoke = $137,495), job availability (24 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Hampton vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $73,708 in Hampton and $83,772 in Roanoke. The Roanoke 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