Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Lawrence, MA: $66.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Lawrence, MA runs $66.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,899 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,338 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarian hourly pay in Lawrence, Massachusetts, is projected to reach a median rate of $66.78 per hour in 2026, slightly surpassing the national hourly median of $66.03. This competitive rate can provide a solid income for veterinarians working in various settings, such as general practice exam rooms or surgical suites, particularly for those in part-time roles or per-diem work. For instance, working three days a week would yield approximately $66,000 annually, appealing for veterinarians seeking flexibility in their careers. The hourly pay range for this profession in Lawrence extends from $39.26 for entry-level positions to $103.50 for the most experienced practitioners, indicating the potential for significant earnings as one’s skills and experience grow.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.26 | $314.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.57 | $420.55 |
| Median (P50) | $66.78 | $534.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.47 | $683.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.50 | $828.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $66.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.78/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, MA can expect to earn approximately $138,897 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,133. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,671.09 | $11,575 | $138,897 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,602.65 | $6,945 | $83,338 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,068.44 | $4,630 | $55,559 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Lawrence) | $66.78 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Lawrence, MA earn a median of $138,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.14% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $142,461.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.78/hr = $83,338/year (purchasing power: $76,809).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,897/year (purchasing power: $128,015).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lawrence grew 36.3% from $46.42/hr (2019) to $63.26/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.49/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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence
The earning potential for part-time veterinarians in Lawrence is quite favorable. By working 24 hours a week, a veterinarian can still maintain a comfortable standard of living, while per-diem or locum veterinarians may find even higher rates for their services. Typically, relief veterinarians charge anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices, while specialty services such as emergency or surgical relief can command rates between $150 and $250 per hour. This variation in pay often reflects the type of employer, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl offering structured pay scales, whereas independent practices may provide alternative benefits or reduced hourly rates in exchange for job security and health insurance. As the veterinary field faces pressures from corporate consolidation, negotiating pay in Lawrence may increasingly depend on experience and the willingness to consider both hourly rates and comprehensive benefits when assessing job offers.
More salary data for Lawrence, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Lawrence in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Lawrence?
Are veterinarians in Lawrence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Lawrence?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Lawrence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 Lawrence. 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 Lawrence 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