Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Worcester, MA: $66.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Worcester, MA runs $66.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,231 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Worcester's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,943 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Worcester, Massachusetts, offers a competitive veterinarian hourly rate of $66.46, slightly above the national median of $66.03. This figure reflects the earnings of veterinarians in diverse settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals, among others. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a significant income, enhancing the attractiveness of flexible work arrangements. Entry-level positions begin around $48.36 per hour, while top earners can make up to $107.31 hourly. These numbers are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the variability in pay that can arise depending on experience and work environment.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.36 | $386.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.69 | $461.51 |
| Median (P50) | $66.46 | $531.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.71 | $685.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.31 | $858.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Worcester
Based on $66.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.46/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Worcester, MA can expect to earn approximately $138,238 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,753. With a cost-of-living index of 102.52 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Worcester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Worcester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,658.42 | $11,520 | $138,238 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,595.05 | $6,912 | $82,943 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.37 | $4,608 | $55,295 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Worcester) | $66.46 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Worcester, MA earn a median of $138,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.65% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $142,359.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.46/hr = $82,943/year (purchasing power: $80,902).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,238/year (purchasing power: $134,836).
CoL index: 102.523 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+155.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Worcester grew 129.0% from $27.49/hr (2019) to $62.96/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.16/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 Worcester 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 Worcester
The earning potential for part-time veterinarians in Worcester can be notable, especially when comparing their take-home pay against full-time colleagues. A 24-hour work week at the median hourly rate will yield a different annual income than a traditional full-time schedule, often leading to around $79,360 annually. As for per diem opportunities, many veterinarians find themselves billing between $90-$140 per hour in general practices, while specialty relief work can see rates soar between $150 and $250. The type of employer significantly influences these rates, with corporate practices generally offering structured pay scales, often lower than independent practices that might provide more freedom in compensation negotiation. For those navigating their career options, understanding the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits versus stable positions with health insurance is key, and knowing the local market trends can aid in effective salary negotiations.
More salary data for Worcester, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Worcester in 2026?
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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 Worcester. 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