Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $99.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Santa Clara, CA runs $99.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $206,244 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $87.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $123,742 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clara, California, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at a robust $99.15, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $66.03. This higher rate indicates a lucrative opportunity for veterinarians working in various settings, such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and equine ambulatory visits. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or per-diem veterinarians, this translates to flexible earning potential without the obligations of a full-time position. The hourly compensation for veterinarians in Santa Clara can range from $57.51 for entry-level positions to up to $153.70 for top earners, reflecting the diverse landscape of veterinary care in the region. The figures are estimated from annual salary data, highlighting the competitive environment in which these practitioners operate.
About the Santa Clara 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) | $57.51 | $460.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78.87 | $631.00 |
| Median (P50) | $99.15 | $793.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125.92 | $1007.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153.70 | $1229.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $99.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $99.15/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $206,237 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $118,983. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,966.10 | $17,186 | $206,237 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,379.66 | $10,312 | $123,742 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,586.44 | $6,875 | $82,495 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Santa Clara) | $99.15 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Santa Clara, CA earn a median of $206,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.18% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 22.30% above the California state average of $168,638.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $99.15/hr = $123,742/year (purchasing power: $109,410).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $206,237/year (purchasing power: $182,349).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$93.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$99.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $85.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $87.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $93.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Santa Clara grew 36.3% from $68.92/hr (2019) to $93.93/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $104.67/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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara
Part-time veterinarians in Santa Clara, working an equivalent of 24 hours per week, typically find their annual earnings translate to a comfortable income that is attractive compared to full-time positions. Per diem arrangements allow veterinarians to capitalize on higher pay rates; for instance, relief veterinarians in general practices often bill between $90 to $140 per hour, while those specializing in surgery or emergency care can earn $150 to $250 hourly. Employers in Santa Clara, from corporate-owned clinics to specialty hospitals and government agencies, tend to offer varying hourly rates, with small animal clinics generally presenting lower compensation compared to specialty or university practices. Many veterinarians weigh the benefits of health insurance and job security against higher hourly rates from independent clinics or relief work. Negotiating for the hourly pay in this context requires understanding the unique demands of each role, emphasizing professional skills, and being aware of market trends driven by shifts in veterinary practice ownership and service delivery.
More salary data for Santa Clara, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Santa Clara in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Santa Clara?
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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 Santa Clara. 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 Santa Clara 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