Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Salisbury, NC: $64.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Salisbury, NC runs $64.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,898 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,334 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in Salisbury, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $64.37, which lags slightly behind the national median of $66.03. This figure illustrates the earning potential not only for full-time practitioners but also for part-time veterinarians who work about three days a week. Those in this role can discover diverse opportunities in settings like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. Salaries for entry-level veterinarians start at around $37.34 per hour (10th percentile), with top earners in the profession potentially reaching $99.78 per hour (90th percentile). It's noteworthy that these hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, providing a clearer understanding for those considering various work arrangements in Salisbury's veterinary landscape.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.34 | $298.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.73 | $397.83 |
| Median (P50) | $64.37 | $514.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.49 | $635.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.78 | $798.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $64.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.37/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, NC can expect to earn approximately $133,891 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,245. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,574.82 | $11,158 | $133,891 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,544.89 | $6,695 | $80,334 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,029.93 | $4,463 | $53,556 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Salisbury) | $64.37 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $133,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.50% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $136,213.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.37/hr = $80,334/year (purchasing power: $85,827).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,891/year (purchasing power: $143,046).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Salisbury grew 36.3% from $44.74/hr (2019) to $60.98/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.95/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
Exploring the earning potential for part-time veterinarians, those working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home a substantially different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Relief veterinarians, often employed on a per-diem basis, command rates between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices, with specialization bringing in even higher rates, often exceeding $150 per hour. In Salisbury, the variation in hourly rates can largely depend on the type of practice, ranging from corporate chains to independent clinics, with independent practices typically offering competitive, yet sometimes lower hourly rates, often compensating for benefits such as health insurance. Specialty referral hospitals and academic institutions frequently pay more but may not provide the same level of stability. For veterinarians and job seekers in Salisbury, it's vital to cultivate strong negotiation skills, especially for hourly positions, as the trade-offs between pay rates and benefits can significantly affect job satisfaction and overall financial well-being in the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Salisbury in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Salisbury?
Are veterinarians in Salisbury paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Salisbury?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Salisbury?
Related Pages
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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 Salisbury. 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 Salisbury 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