Veterinarian Salary

Madison vs Muskego: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Madison, WI and Muskego, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$121,616
$58.47/hr
Muskego, WI
$110,194
$52.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMuskego, WI
Median Salary$121,616$110,194
Hourly Rate$58.47$52.98
Entry Level (P10)$86,644$68,931
25th Percentile$107,059$89,655
75th Percentile$151,943$136,247
Top Earner (P90)$170,870$170,801
Total Employed4206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($121,616) and Muskego ($110,194) veterinarian salaries.MadisonMuskegoMedian Salary$121,616$110,194Entry Level (P10)$86,644$68,931Top Earner (P90)$170,870$170,801US Median $137,334

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Muskego.

The salary gap between Madison and Muskego is $11,422 (10.37%). Madison's median is -11.45% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $84,226,Muskego spans $101,870. Muskego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$86,644
P25$107,059
Median$121,616
P75$151,943
P90 (Top)$170,870
Muskego
P10 (Entry)$68,931
P25$89,655
Median$110,194
P75$136,247
P90 (Top)$170,801

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($125,007 effective) pays 5.96% more than Muskego ($117,981 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $121,616
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $125,007
Muskego
Nominal: $110,194
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $117,981

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,616/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,870)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,007)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Muskego if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Madison grew 49.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.4% growth in Muskego over the same period.

Madison, WI

+49.4%

$77,120 (2019) → $115,210 (2025)

Muskego, WI

+1.4%

$102,955 (2024) → $104,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Madison or Muskego?

Madison has a higher median veterinarian salary at $121,616/year, compared to Muskego at $110,194/year — a difference of $11,422 (10.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Muskego?

Madison veterinarians earn $58.47/hr while Muskego hygienists earn $52.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Muskego as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Muskego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $125,007, Muskego = $117,981), job availability (420 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Madison vs Muskego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $86,644 in Madison and $68,931 in Muskego. The Madison 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