Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Pontiac, MI: $61.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Pontiac, MI runs $61.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,039 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Pontiac's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,224 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pontiac, Michigan, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $61.08 in 2026, compared to the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This difference may influence the opportunities available for part-time and per-diem veterinarians who typically work in various settings, including general practice exam rooms and specialty referral hospitals. For those working three days a week, the hourly pay allows for a flexible schedule while still supporting a decent income, with entry-level veterinarians earning around $35.43 an hour and experienced professionals, particularly those in specialty roles, potentially hitting rates as high as $94.67 an hour. These figures, estimated from annual salary data, reflect the competitive salary landscape for veterinary professionals in Pontiac, navigating both corporate practices and private independent clinics.
About the Pontiac Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($116,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.43 | $283.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.38 | $379.00 |
| Median (P50) | $61.08 | $488.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.43 | $619.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.67 | $757.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pontiac
Based on $61.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.08/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pontiac, MI can expect to earn approximately $127,040 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,292. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pontiac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pontiac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,443.08 | $10,587 | $127,040 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,465.85 | $6,352 | $76,224 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $977.23 | $4,235 | $50,816 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Pontiac) | $61.08 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Pontiac, MI earn a median of $127,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.40% below the Michigan state average of $131,511.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.08/hr = $76,224/year (purchasing power: $81,786).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,040/year (purchasing power: $136,309).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Pontiac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Pontiac grew 36.3% from $42.45/hr (2019) to $57.86/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.47/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 Pontiac 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 Pontiac
Examining the earning potential for part-time veterinarians in Pontiac reveals a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts. A veterinarian working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $76,000 annually, while relief veterinarians often experience higher hourly rates. Per diem veterinarian pay in Pontiac can range broadly, with practitioners billing between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, and even specialty relief roles commanding rates of $150 to $250 per hour. Such disparities extend into various employment types; for instance, corporate-owned animal hospitals tend to offer more predictable hourly rates, while independent practices may compensate lower but could provide benefits that larger corporate chains do not. When negotiating, veterinarians should consider both the financial and non-financial aspects of their work, balancing hourly pay against potential benefits like health insurance to find the best overall compensation package tailored to their needs.
More salary data for Pontiac, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Pontiac in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Pontiac?
Are veterinarians in Pontiac paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Pontiac?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Pontiac?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Pontiac. 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 Pontiac 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