Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $64.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Charlottesville, VA runs $64.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,547 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,730 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Charlottesville, Virginia, are expected to earn a median hourly pay of $64.69 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $66.03. This hourly rate provides ample opportunity for part-time veterinarians and per-diem workers, who often operate in general practice exam rooms, surgery suites, or specialty referral hospitals. The hourly pay ranges from $29.24 for entry-level positions to $111.80 for top earners, reflecting the diverse range of responsibilities and experiences across different veterinary settings. Whether working at an equine ambulatory facility or in a corporate veterinary practice, these figures highlight the potential earnings for those considering both part-time roles and per-diem options in a consistently evolving field. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS projections based on 2025 data.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.24 | $233.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.47 | $395.72 |
| Median (P50) | $64.69 | $517.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.00 | $752.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.80 | $894.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $64.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.69/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $134,549 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,625. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,587.49 | $11,212 | $134,549 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,552.49 | $6,727 | $80,730 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,034.99 | $4,485 | $53,820 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Charlottesville) | $64.69 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $134,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.03% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.20% above the Virginia state average of $126,692.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.69/hr = $80,730/year (purchasing power: $81,425).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,549/year (purchasing power: $135,708).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Charlottesville grew 21.1% from $50.61/hr (2019) to $61.28/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.28/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Assessing part-time earning potential in Charlottesville reveals that veterinarians working three days a week can expect to take home a substantial income. When approached from an annual perspective, a vet working 24 hours weekly might anticipate earnings that are competitive with full-time counterparts, depending on specific contracts and roles. For those in relief or locum positions, the financial reward can be even higher: general practices often pay $90-$140 per hour for relief veterinarians, with specialty roles earning upwards of $150-$250 per hour. Variable hourly rates also emerge among different employer types in Charlottesville, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offering structured pay scales, while independent practices may afford greater flexibility in compensation. Additionally, veterinarians must consider the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits such as health insurance, as some might opt for a lower hourly rate in exchange for comprehensive benefits. For hourly contracts, negotiating terms is crucial; understanding the market forces at play and articulating specific skill sets can help secure favorable pay and working conditions in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville. 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