Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Madison, AL: $50.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Madison, AL runs $50.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,699 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,419 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Madison, Alabama, the median hourly rate for veterinarians is projected at $50.82 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $66.03. This difference presents unique financial scenarios for veterinarians, especially those seeking part-time or per-diem work in various settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For veterinarians working part-time at approximately three days a week, this hourly rate translates into flexible income opportunities, with entry-level positions starting around $29.86 per hour and top earners potentially making $78.77 per hour. Such hourly earnings reflect the estimated annual figures, indicating the ongoing valuation of this profession within the local market.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.86 | $238.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.99 | $319.89 |
| Median (P50) | $50.82 | $406.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.00 | $520.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.77 | $630.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $50.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.82/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, AL can expect to earn approximately $105,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,980. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,032.66 | $8,808 | $105,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,219.60 | $5,285 | $63,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $813.07 | $3,523 | $42,279 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Madison) | $50.82 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Madison, AL earn a median of $105,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.04% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $108,410.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.82/hr = $63,419/year (purchasing power: $72,149).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,698/year (purchasing power: $120,249).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Madison grew 36.3% from $35.32/hr (2019) to $48.14/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.64/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinarian in Madison
Veterinarians working part-time in Madison can expect to take home annual earnings reflective of their hourly commitments. For instance, a veterinarian working 24 hours weekly would earn around $63,900 annually, compared to full-time counterparts earning more, largely due to the per diem or locum tenens opportunities available in the region. While general practices may offer lower per diem veterinarian pay in Madison, around $90-$140 per hour, specialty relief positions can command rates between $150 and $250 per hour, notably higher in urgent care scenarios and emergency coverages. Differences in hourly wages across various employers, such as independent practices versus corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, influence earning potential as well, with corporate chains generally offering competitive health benefits. Those opting for higher hourly roles without such perks need to evaluate the trade-offs carefully. When negotiating hourly rates, particularly considering shifts in corporate consolidation trends within the veterinary sector, it’s beneficial to emphasize skill sets aligned with specialty needs and demonstrate market awareness specific to Madison.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinarians in Madison. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madison is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov