Veterinarian Salary

Ramsey vs St. Cloud: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Ramsey, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ramsey, MN
$133,819
$64.34/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$128,150
$61.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRamsey, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$133,819$128,150
Hourly Rate$64.34$61.62
Entry Level (P10)$77,615$85,873
25th Percentile$107,286$102,034
75th Percentile$171,289$156,999
Top Earner (P90)$207,420$208,724
Total Employed760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ramsey ($133,819) and St. Cloud ($128,150) veterinarian salaries.RamseySt. CloudMedian Salary$133,819$128,150Entry Level (P10)$77,615$85,873Top Earner (P90)$207,420$208,724US Median $137,334

Verdict

Ramsey and St. Cloud are closely matched on overall veterinarian compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Ramsey and St. Cloud is $5,669 (4.42%). Ramsey's median is -2.56% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ramsey spans $129,805,St. Cloud spans $122,851. Ramsey has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ramsey
P10 (Entry)$77,615
P25$107,286
Median$133,819
P75$171,289
P90 (Top)$207,420
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$85,873
P25$102,034
Median$128,150
P75$156,999
P90 (Top)$208,724

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($146,237 effective) pays 7.64% more than Ramsey ($135,857 effective).

Ramsey
Nominal: $133,819
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $135,857
St. Cloud
Nominal: $128,150
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $146,237

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ramsey if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,819/year)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($208,724)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $146,237)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Ramsey grew 6.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.7% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Ramsey, MN

+6.4%

$119,106 (2024) → $126,771 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+40.7%

$86,310 (2019) → $121,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Ramsey or St. Cloud?

Ramsey has a higher median veterinarian salary at $133,819/year, compared to St. Cloud at $128,150/year — a difference of $5,669 (4.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ramsey and St. Cloud?

Ramsey veterinarians earn $64.34/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $61.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ramsey to St. Cloud as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ramsey and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ramsey = $135,857, St. Cloud = $146,237), job availability (7 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Ramsey vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $77,615 in Ramsey and $85,873 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud 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