Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Cape Coral, FL: $65.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Cape Coral, FL runs $65.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,109 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Cape Coral's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.3, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,665 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Coral, Florida, the projected median veterinarian hourly pay for 2026 is $65.44, which is slightly below the national median of $66.03. This hourly rate offers a solid earning potential for veterinarians in diverse settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and even specialty referral hospitals. For those considering part-time work, typically around three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,394 weekly based on a 24-hour work schedule. The hourly wage range in Cape Coral goes from $30.88 for entry-level positions to $106.25 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting the variety of work environments and specializations available to veterinarians in the region. Given the official BLS data, these figures provide a quantitative glimpse into the earning landscape for vets in Cape Coral, illustrating the balance between experience, type of practice, and work hours.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.88 | $247.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.50 | $380.02 |
| Median (P50) | $65.44 | $523.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.36 | $698.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.25 | $849.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Coral
Based on $65.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.44/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Coral, FL can expect to earn approximately $136,108 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,524. With a cost-of-living index of 102.35 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cape Coral.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Coral
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,617.47 | $11,342 | $136,108 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,570.48 | $6,805 | $81,665 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,046.99 | $4,537 | $54,443 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Cape Coral) | $65.44 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Cape Coral, FL earn a median of $136,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.89% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% below the Florida state average of $138,463.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.44/hr = $81,665/year (purchasing power: $79,791).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,108/year (purchasing power: $132,984).
CoL index: 102.349 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cape Coral (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Cape Coral grew 28.2% from $48.37/hr (2019) to $61.99/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.07/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 Cape Coral 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 Cape Coral
Evaluating part-time earning potential, a veterinarian working three days a week at this hourly pay would take home about $72,570 annually, significantly less than the full-time counterparts who could earn closer to $136,109. Moreover, per diem veterinarian pay in Cape Coral can vary widely; relief veterinarians might charge $90 to $140 per hour in general practices, while those specializing in surgery or emergency care can command rates of $150 to $250. This variance is often linked to whether a veterinarian works for corporate chains like VCA and NVA or independent practices. Some veterinarians may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for job benefits, such as health insurance, that are more common in full-time positions. When negotiating compensation, understanding the employer types and regional pay standards is crucial, as are clear discussions around work-life balance and total compensation packages, which can influence job satisfaction and financial well-being in this evolving field.
More salary data for Cape Coral, FL:
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 Cape Coral. 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