Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $61.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Richmond, VA runs $61.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,435 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,067 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, Virginia, veterinarians earn a median hourly rate of $61.75, which is slightly below the national median of $66.03. This rate is particularly significant for part-time practitioners who may work around three days a week in various clinical settings, such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty hospitals. The hourly pay range in Richmond spans from $41.15 at the entry-level (P10) to as much as $109.69 for top earners (P90), indicating a robust compensation structure. This official BLS data highlights the financial incentives available for those working in diverse environments, including equine practices and pharmaceutical offices, while allowing for flexibility in work schedules.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.15 | $329.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.40 | $387.19 |
| Median (P50) | $61.75 | $494.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.12 | $672.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.69 | $877.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $61.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.75/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $128,445 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,103. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,470.10 | $10,704 | $128,445 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,482.06 | $6,422 | $77,067 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $988.04 | $4,282 | $51,378 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Richmond) | $61.75 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Richmond, VA earn a median of $128,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.48% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.40% above the Virginia state average of $126,662.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.75/hr = $77,067/year (purchasing power: $78,754).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,445/year (purchasing power: $131,257).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Richmond grew 31.4% from $44.51/hr (2019) to $58.50/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.19/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
For veterinarians opting for part-time positions, working three days a week typically results in earnings that align with their lifestyle needs, but they take home a significantly lower annual salary compared to their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem roles can be quite lucrative; many relief or locum veterinarians billed at general practices can earn between $90-$140 per hour. Specialty relief in areas like surgery can command $150-$250, while weekend emergency coverage often pays between $150-$200. The hourly rates can vary widely based on the employer type in Richmond, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl offering competitive salaries alongside benefits, while independent practices may provide more flexible arrangements but potentially lower pay. Consequently, some veterinarians opt for roles with fewer benefits for higher hourly wages. To effectively negotiate hourly pay in Richmond, professionals should emphasize their skill set and consider market demand while weighing job offers against work-life balance and compensation packages that include health insurance.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 Richmond. 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