Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Daly City, CA: $83.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Daly City, CA runs $83.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $173,077 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Daly City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,850 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Daly City sees a robust veterinarian hourly pay structure, with a median rate of $83.21 per hour, significantly higher than the national median of $66.03 per hour. For veterinarians working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek, this hourly rate can translate into a competitive income within typical settings like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. Entry-level positions may start around $48.26 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $128.97 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary projections and highlight the financial opportunities available in Daly City, which are further enhanced by the region's higher cost of living, with a cost of living index of 113.1.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.26 | $386.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.99 | $503.90 |
| Median (P50) | $83.21 | $665.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105.61 | $844.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128.97 | $1031.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Daly City
Based on $83.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.21/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Daly City, CA can expect to earn approximately $173,083 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,856. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Daly City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Daly City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,328.52 | $14,424 | $173,083 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,997.11 | $8,654 | $103,850 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,331.41 | $5,769 | $69,233 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Daly City) | $83.21 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Daly City, CA earn a median of $173,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.03% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.60% above the California state average of $168,691.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.21/hr = $103,850/year (purchasing power: $91,821).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $173,083/year (purchasing power: $153,035).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $87.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Daly City grew 36.3% from $57.84/hr (2019) to $78.83/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.84/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 Daly City 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 Daly City
Considering the earnings potential for part-time veterinarians in Daly City, those working a schedule of 24 hours per week would take home roughly $103,000 annually. This income remains competitive, especially when comparing it to full-time roles. Relief veterinarians generally command higher per diem rates, often billing between $90 to $140 an hour in general practices, and specialty relief work can reach as much as $250 per hour. Variations in hourly rates across different employer types reflect the diverse landscape of veterinary practices; large corporate entities like VCA, which dominate about 25% of the market, often offer stability but lower rates compared to independent clinics or specialty hospitals. While some veterinarians choose positions with lower hourly pay for benefits like health insurance, a high hourly rate without benefits can lead to greater take-home pay, presenting a trade-off that many need to evaluate. Negotiating hourly rates can often yield better compensation, particularly in areas with high demand for veterinary services.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Daly City. 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 Daly City 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