Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Herndon, VA: $57.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Herndon, VA runs $57.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,647 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Herndon's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,192 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Herndon, Virginia, veterinarians earn a median hourly rate of $57.04, which is notably lower than the national median of $66.03. This discrepancy indicates that working as a veterinarian in Herndon may have its own unique economic conditions, particularly impacting part-time or per-diem positions. Part-time veterinarians working three days a week might choose their schedules to accommodate personal commitments, while still earning a respectable income from their shifts in various environments, whether they are in bustling general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or on the road with equine ambulatory services. With an hourly range from $36.54 for entry-level positions to $86.55 for top earners, the full breadth of compensation showcases diverse opportunities, albeit linked closely to experience and the specific practice type.
About the Herndon Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.54 | $292.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.12 | $376.98 |
| Median (P50) | $57.04 | $456.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.41 | $555.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.55 | $692.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Herndon
Based on $57.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.04/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Herndon, VA can expect to earn approximately $118,653 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,454. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Herndon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Herndon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,281.78 | $9,888 | $118,653 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,369.07 | $5,933 | $71,192 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $912.71 | $3,955 | $47,461 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Herndon) | $57.04 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Herndon, VA earn a median of $118,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.30% below the Virginia state average of $126,625.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.04/hr = $71,192/year (purchasing power: $68,984).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,653/year (purchasing power: $114,974).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Herndon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Herndon grew 36.3% from $39.65/hr (2019) to $54.04/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.22/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 Herndon 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 Herndon
Part-time veterinarians in Herndon can expect to earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, even while working the same weekly hours. Specifically, a veterinarian committed to three days a week might take home an annual amount that falls well below the projected $118,647 median annual salary. Meanwhile, the per diem veterinarian pay in Herndon reflects a broader reality in the profession, with relief vets typically billing between $90 and $140 per hour for general practices. Those with specialty skills in fields like surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care can command even higher rates, sometimes exceeding $200 per hour during critical weekend shifts. The variance in hourly rates across different employer types also influences earnings; corporate veterinary practices and independent clinics often present contrasting compensation structures. Negotiating salary within Herndon's veterinary market requires understanding these dynamics and weighing the benefits of stable employment—like health insurance—against the higher pay potential found in less traditional roles.
More salary data for Herndon, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Herndon in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Herndon?
Are veterinarians in Herndon paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Herndon?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Herndon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Herndon. 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 Herndon 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