Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Downers Grove, IL: $64.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Downers Grove, IL runs $64.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,662 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Downers Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,203 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downers Grove, Illinois, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach $64.26 in 2026, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This compensation reflects the dynamics of the local job market and the specific demands of the profession. For veterinarians working part-time—say three days a week—this hourly rate can translate to a substantial income, especially when factors like location and practice type are considered. Per-diem veterinarians in varied settings, from general practice exam rooms to specialty referral hospitals, may find their earnings ideally suited for flexible scheduling. The hourly pay ranges considerably across the profession, with entry-level positions earning approximately $38.79 while seasoned professionals can command up to $99.61 per hour.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.79 | $310.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.24 | $409.91 |
| Median (P50) | $64.26 | $514.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.24 | $657.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.61 | $796.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Downers Grove
Based on $64.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.26/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Downers Grove, IL can expect to earn approximately $133,671 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,118. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Downers Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Downers Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,570.60 | $11,139 | $133,671 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,542.36 | $6,684 | $80,203 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,028.24 | $4,456 | $53,468 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Downers Grove) | $64.26 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $133,662 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $140,107.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.26/hr = $80,203/year (purchasing power: $82,598).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,671/year (purchasing power: $137,663).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Downers Grove grew 36.3% from $44.67/hr (2019) to $60.88/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.84/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 Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove
Considering the financial implications of part-time versus full-time work, a veterinarian in Downers Grove working just 24 hours weekly at $64.26 can take home around $79,989 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Additionally, per diem and relief veterinarians often have the potential to earn more on an hourly basis, frequently billing $90-$140 for general practices and up to $250 for specialty services. The employer type also affects earnings; large corporate chains tend to offer steady hours with benefits, yet independent practices often provide more competitive hourly rates without the associated benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in Downers Grove can often hinge on understanding these trade-offs between hourly compensation and benefits, especially amidst trends toward corporate consolidation in veterinary practices, which may standardize pay scales across the industry while impacting career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Downers Grove, IL:
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 Downers Grove. 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 Downers Grove 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