Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $66.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Wilmington, NC runs $66.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,991 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,391 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Wilmington, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $66.82, which slightly exceeds the national median of $66.03. This hourly wage provides a viable income for part-time veterinarians working three days a week, focusing on either general practice or specialized fields like surgery or emergency care. The hourly range for veterinarians in Wilmington spans from $39.27 at the 10th percentile to $107.03 for top earners, reflecting the varied experience levels and roles within the profession. Those who operate in diverse settings—from routine clinic exam rooms and surgical suites to equine ambulatory practices—can take advantage of different types of employment, including per-diem positions, which offer flexible work arrangements. Overall, these BLS hourly figures indicate a competitive earning potential in the Wilmington area for veterinarians.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.27 | $314.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.91 | $423.25 |
| Median (P50) | $66.82 | $534.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.65 | $693.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.03 | $856.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $66.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.82/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $138,985 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,183. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,672.78 | $11,582 | $138,985 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,603.67 | $6,949 | $83,391 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,069.11 | $4,633 | $55,594 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Wilmington) | $66.82 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $138,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% above the North Carolina state average of $136,266.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.82/hr = $83,391/year (purchasing power: $86,485).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,985/year (purchasing power: $144,142).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Wilmington grew 31.2% from $48.24/hr (2019) to $63.30/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.53/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Part-time veterinarians working a three-day week often generate a different annual perspective on income compared to their full-time counterparts. Specifically, those covering 24 hours a week may take home around $101,000 annually, depending on their hours and job structure. Furthermore, many veterinarians are turning toward per-diem roles, which can be lucrative; general practice relief veterinarians commonly bill $90-$140 per hour, while specialists could command $150-$250 per hour. Hourly rates can differ significantly based on the type of practice—corporate chains may offer a more regulated pay scale compared to independent clinics, and specialty hospitals and university clinics often provide higher wages at the trade-off of less flexible hours. While some veterinarians may prefer higher pay without benefits, others opt for corporate structures to secure healthcare and retirement options. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for negotiation; hourly workers must clearly communicate their worth and consider what benefits they value most in Wilmington’s evolving veterinary market.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
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 Wilmington. 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, 3-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