Veterinarian Salary

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.

$105,699
Median Annual Salary
$50.82/hr
Hourly Rate
$62,106
Entry Level (P10)
$163,834
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarian Hourly Rate in Madison, AL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Madison, AL veterinarian hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a veterinarian in Madison earning $50.82/hr would make approximately $60,980 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $105,698 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$60,980Reduced (32 hr/wk)$81,307Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$105,698

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$406.53
per 8hr shift
$2,032.66
per week
$8,808
per month
$105,698
per year

Schedule Comparison in Madison

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinarian median salary in Madison ($105,699) with Alabama average ($108,410) and the US national median ($137,334).Madison$105,699Alabama Avg$108,410-2.50%US National$137,334-23.04%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for veterinarians in Madison. Baseline $35.32/hr in 2025, projected to $53.64/hr by 2027.$32$38$44$51$572019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.32$36.72$37.14$38.21$44.07$40.38$48.14$50.82$53.64
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$35.32/hrActual
2020$36.72/hrActual
2021$37.14/hrActual
2022$38.21/hrActual
2023$44.07/hrActual
2024$40.38/hrActual
2025$48.14/hrActual
2026(current)$50.82/hrEstimated
2027$53.64/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Madison in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for veterinarians in Madison is $50.82/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Rates range from $29.86 at entry level (10th percentile) to $78.77 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 23.0% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time veterinarians make in Madison?

A part-time veterinarian working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Madison earns approximately $5,285/month, or $63,419/year at the median hourly rate of $50.82. Many veterinarians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are veterinarians in Madison paid hourly or salary?

The majority of veterinarians in Madison are paid hourly at a median rate of $50.82/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $105,698/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Madison?

A full-time veterinarian working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Madison earns approximately $105,698/year at the median hourly rate of $50.82. This is 23.0% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $163,839/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Madison?

Part-time and per diem veterinarians in Madison sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $78.77/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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