Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Gaithersburg, MD: $72.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Gaithersburg, MD runs $72.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $151,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Gaithersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $66.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,715 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gaithersburg, Maryland, veterinarians earn a median hourly pay of $72.69, which outperforms the national median of $66.03. This competitive rate provides considerable financial incentive for part-time veterinarians working just three days a week or for per-diem workers tackling sporadic assignments. Typical settings for veterinarians include general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals, where the hourly rates reflect varying levels of experience and specialization. The range for hourly compensation spans from $42.16 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $112.67 for top earners (90th percentile), indicating that opportunities for lucrative earnings are available for those who invest in their professional growth and take on diverse roles in the animal healthcare sector.
About the Gaithersburg Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.16 | $337.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.69 | $445.55 |
| Median (P50) | $72.69 | $581.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.05 | $744.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112.67 | $901.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gaithersburg
Based on $72.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.69/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gaithersburg, MD can expect to earn approximately $151,192 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $87,226. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gaithersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gaithersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,907.54 | $12,599 | $151,192 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,744.53 | $7,560 | $90,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,163.02 | $5,040 | $60,477 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Gaithersburg) | $72.69 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $151,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $150,151.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.69/hr = $90,715/year (purchasing power: $82,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $151,192/year (purchasing power: $138,328).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Gaithersburg grew 36.3% from $50.53/hr (2019) to $68.86/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $76.73/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 Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg
Those opting for part-time work in Gaithersburg can expect a notably different financial outlook compared to their full-time counterparts. A veterinarian working a 24-hour week typically sees an annual income far less than a full-time position but can still earn a respectable living. Per diem veterinarians often invoice between $90 and $140 per hour for standard practice, climbing to as much as $250 for specialty relief roles in surgery or emergency care. This significant disparity showcases the notable variation depending on practice type, as corporate clinics like VCA and BluePearl may offer more stable hours and benefits, albeit sometimes at slightly lower rates. Conversely, independent practices, equine clinics, and emergency hospitals often provide higher pay for urgent care, but the associated benefits vary. This creates a dynamic landscape for veterinary professionals navigating their compensation packages in Gaithersburg. Negotiation strategies focused on the value of experience, areas of specialty, and the flexibility of working conditions can deliver substantial improvements to compensation arrangements tailored to individual career goals.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, MD:
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 Gaithersburg. 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 Gaithersburg 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