Veterinarian Salary

Los Angeles vs Tracy: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Tracy, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$168,980
$81.24/hr
Tracy, CA
$163,827
$78.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CATracy, CA
Median Salary$168,980$163,827
Hourly Rate$81.24$78.76
Entry Level (P10)$71,158$95,338
25th Percentile$128,350$128,226
75th Percentile$223,882$209,698
Top Earner (P90)$299,843$253,932
Total Employed2,74014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($168,980) and Tracy ($163,827) veterinarian salaries.Los AngelesTracyMedian Salary$168,980$163,827Entry Level (P10)$71,158$95,338Top Earner (P90)$299,843$253,932US Median $137,334

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tracy.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Tracy is $5,153 (3.15%). Los Angeles's median is +23.04% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $228,685,Tracy spans $158,594. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$71,158
P25$128,350
Median$168,980
P75$223,882
P90 (Top)$299,843
Tracy
P10 (Entry)$95,338
P25$128,226
Median$163,827
P75$209,698
P90 (Top)$253,932

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($148,795 effective) pays 2.72% more than Tracy ($144,851 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $168,980
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $148,795
Tracy
Nominal: $163,827
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $144,851

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($168,980/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($299,843)
  • Larger job market (2,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,795)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Tracy if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Los Angeles grew 54.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.5% growth in Tracy over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+54.1%

$103,870 (2019) → $160,080 (2025)

Tracy, CA

+-9.5%

$171,409 (2024) → $155,198 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Los Angeles or Tracy?

Los Angeles has a higher median veterinarian salary at $168,980/year, compared to Tracy at $163,827/year — a difference of $5,153 (3.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Tracy?

Los Angeles veterinarians earn $81.24/hr while Tracy hygienists earn $78.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Tracy as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Tracy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $148,795, Tracy = $144,851), job availability (2,740 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Los Angeles vs Tracy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $71,158 in Los Angeles and $95,338 in Tracy. The Tracy 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