Veterinarian Salary

New Haven vs Stamford: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between New Haven, CT and Stamford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$134,663
$64.74/hr
Stamford, CT
$135,327
$65.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTStamford, CT
Median Salary$134,663$135,327
Hourly Rate$64.74$65.06
Entry Level (P10)$47,639$78,489
25th Percentile$113,245$105,725
75th Percentile$177,784$173,219
Top Earner (P90)$236,634$209,756
Total Employed14027
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($134,663) and Stamford ($135,327) veterinarian salaries.New HavenStamfordMedian Salary$134,663$135,327Entry Level (P10)$47,639$78,489Top Earner (P90)$236,634$209,756US Median $137,334

Verdict

New Haven and Stamford are closely matched on overall veterinarian compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between New Haven and Stamford is $664 (0.49%). Stamford's median is -1.46% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $188,995,Stamford spans $131,267. New Haven has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$47,639
P25$113,245
Median$134,663
P75$177,784
P90 (Top)$236,634
Stamford
P10 (Entry)$78,489
P25$105,725
Median$135,327
P75$173,219
P90 (Top)$209,756

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($128,791 effective) pays 2.69% more than Stamford ($125,419 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $134,663
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $128,791
Stamford
Nominal: $135,327
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $125,419

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($236,634)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,791)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Stamford if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,327/year)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in New Haven grew 33.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -13.6% growth in Stamford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+33.0%

$95,920 (2019) → $127,570 (2025)

Stamford, CT

+-13.6%

$148,376 (2024) → $128,199 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: New Haven or Stamford?

Stamford has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,327/year, compared to New Haven at $134,663/year — a difference of $664 (0.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Stamford?

New Haven veterinarians earn $64.74/hr while Stamford hygienists earn $65.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Stamford as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Stamford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $128,791, Stamford = $125,419), job availability (140 vs 27 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in New Haven vs Stamford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $47,639 in New Haven and $78,489 in Stamford. The Stamford area offers higher starting salaries.
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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