Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Winston, NC: $65.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Winston, NC runs $65.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,676 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Winston's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,401 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at $65.23, which is slightly below the national median of $66.03. This median hourly rate reflects a robust earning opportunity for veterinarians engaged in various settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For those considering part-time or per-diem positions, working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) allows for significant flexibility and potentially lucrative returns. The hourly compensation for veterinarians varies significantly within the industry, ranging from $38.50 for entry-level positions to $105.68 at the high end, highlighting lucrative career pathways depending on skill level and experience.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.50 | $307.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.73 | $397.83 |
| Median (P50) | $65.23 | $521.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.34 | $658.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.68 | $845.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston
Based on $65.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.23/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston, NC can expect to earn approximately $135,669 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,271. With a cost-of-living index of 92.04 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,609.02 | $11,306 | $135,669 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,565.41 | $6,783 | $81,401 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,043.61 | $4,522 | $54,268 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Winston) | $65.23 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Winston, NC earn a median of $135,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.40% below the North Carolina state average of $136,221.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.23/hr = $81,401/year (purchasing power: $88,439).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,669/year (purchasing power: $147,398).
CoL index: 92.043 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Winston grew 28.8% from $47.97/hr (2019) to $61.79/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.85/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 Winston 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 Winston
For part-time veterinarians in Winston, those working 24 hours a week can anticipate earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. While a full-time veterinarian might pull in an impressive annual income, a part-time veterinarian could earn around $81,491, assuming they work consistently at the median hourly rate. Per-diem or relief veterinarians may find opportunities to charge between $90 and $140 per hour for general practice work, while specialty relief roles can command even higher rates ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. Hourly rates can vary depending on the type of employer; for example, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl may offer structured pay scales but might not match the earning potential of independent or specialty practices. In a competitive market like Winston, negotiating for higher pay or additional benefits is important, especially in light of the rising corporate consolidation trend within the veterinary field, reminding veterinarians to weigh higher hourly rates against job stability and benefits.
More salary data for Winston, 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 Winston. 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