Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Santa Rosa, CA: $80.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Santa Rosa, CA runs $80.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $167,598 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Santa Rosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.8, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,556 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Santa Rosa, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $80.57, significantly outpacing the national hourly median of $66.03. This robust hourly rate positively affects part-time and per-diem veterinarians alike, making it an attractive option for those working in diverse environments, such as general practice exam rooms, specialty referral hospitals, and university teaching clinics. For professionals in this field, hourly earnings range from approximately $35.77 at the entry-level to as high as $146.83 for top earners. The variation in hourly pay reflects both experience and the complexity of cases handled, as well as the type of veterinary practice, whether that’s in small animal clinics, large animal operations, or research roles within the pharmaceutical industry, and it's all grounded in official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which sheds light on salary dynamics unique to Santa Rosa.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.77 | $286.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.06 | $488.45 |
| Median (P50) | $80.57 | $644.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103.48 | $827.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146.83 | $1174.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Rosa
Based on $80.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.57/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Rosa, CA can expect to earn approximately $167,594 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,689. With a cost-of-living index of 107.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Rosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Rosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,222.96 | $13,966 | $167,594 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,933.77 | $8,380 | $100,556 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,289.18 | $5,586 | $67,038 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Santa Rosa) | $80.57 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $167,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.04% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the California state average of $168,609.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.57/hr = $100,556/year (purchasing power: $93,294).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $167,594/year (purchasing power: $155,490).
CoL index: 107.784 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$63.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Santa Rosa grew 21.0% from $63.07/hr (2019) to $76.33/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.05/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 Rosa 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 Rosa
Hourly earnings can significantly differ between full-time and part-time positions, revealing different financial realities for veterinarians. For example, a veterinarian working three days a week, given a typical workload of 24 hours, could bring home upwards of $62,500 annually. In contrast, per-diem veterinarians tend to capitalize on more flexible structures, billing anywhere from $90-$140 per hour in general practices, with specialty roles commanding between $150-$250 per hour. In Santa Rosa, the type of employer plays a crucial role in compensation; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl may offer different pay scales compared to independent practices or specialty referral hospitals. While some veterinarians opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others prioritize higher pay without those benefits, leading to a compelling negotiation dynamic. Understanding the local market and preparing for discussions on hourly pay can significantly influence earning potential in this growing field, which is projected to expand at an annual growth rate of 5.56%.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Santa Rosa in 2026?
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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 Rosa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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