Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Thornton, CO: $65.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Thornton, CO runs $65.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,909 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Thornton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $62.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,546 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thornton, Colorado, the estimated median hourly pay for veterinarians stands at $65.34, slightly below the national median of $66.03 per hour. This rate applies to various employment settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty hospitals, allowing for a viable income in environments ranging from small animal clinics to USDA inspection sites. For veterinarians working on a part-time basis, such as those averaging three days per week, the pay offers a competitive return that can fit into a flexible lifestyle. Entry-level practitioners can expect to earn around $37.90, while top earners in the profession can command rates up to $101.27 per hour, reflecting a substantial potential for career growth and specialization.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.90 | $303.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.64 | $389.14 |
| Median (P50) | $65.34 | $522.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.64 | $669.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.27 | $810.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thornton
Based on $65.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.34/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thornton, CO can expect to earn approximately $135,911 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,410. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Thornton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thornton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,613.67 | $11,326 | $135,911 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,568.20 | $6,796 | $81,546 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,045.47 | $4,530 | $54,364 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Thornton) | $65.34 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Thornton, CO earn a median of $135,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.04% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $133,768.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.34/hr = $81,546/year (purchasing power: $77,663).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,911/year (purchasing power: $129,439).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Thornton grew 36.3% from $45.42/hr (2019) to $61.90/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.97/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 Thornton 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 Thornton
When evaluating the earning dynamics of veterinarians in Thornton, it's essential to consider the earnings structure for part-time and per-diem roles. For instance, a veterinarian working 24 hours a week might bring home around $92,368 annually, which is considerably less than a full-time equivalent but still significant for those valuing work-life balance. Per diem veterinarians in Thornton are seeing billing rates from $90 to $140 per hour in general practice settings, with specialty services reaching $150 to $250 per hour, particularly for relief work in surgical, internal medicine, or emergency care scenarios. Furthermore, hourly rates vary by employer type; corporate chains often provide stability and benefits at lower hourly rates, while independent practices may offer higher pay without benefits. For those in Thornton considering their options, negotiating for hourly rates that account for workload and benefits becomes crucial, especially in the rapidly changing veterinary field influenced by corporate consolidation and varying compensation models.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
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 Thornton. 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 Thornton 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