Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $61.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $61.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,278 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Virginia Beach, Virginia, earn a median hourly rate of $61.92, a figure that falls short of the national median of $66.03. For those considering part-time work, such as a schedule of three days a week, this compensation translates into an average of around $1,974 weekly, which can be an attractive option in settings like general practice exam rooms or specialty clinics. Per-diem veterinarians also find potential here, as their compensation often ranges from $27.84 to $107.90 per hour, allowing flexible work arrangements that cater to individual lifestyle needs. Given the significant earning disparity from entry-level positions to top earners in the field, which can reach upward of $107.90, the hourly pay structure in Virginia Beach presents a compelling financial narrative for both seasoned and new veterinarians.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.84 | $222.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.00 | $375.96 |
| Median (P50) | $61.92 | $495.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.39 | $683.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.90 | $863.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $61.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.92/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $128,797 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,306. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,476.86 | $10,733 | $128,797 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,486.12 | $6,440 | $77,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $990.74 | $4,293 | $51,519 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Virginia Beach) | $61.92 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $128,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.22% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% above the Virginia state average of $126,641.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.92/hr = $77,278/year (purchasing power: $78,903).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,797/year (purchasing power: $131,504).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Virginia Beach grew 32.3% from $44.34/hr (2019) to $58.66/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.36/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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
The financial dynamics for veterinarians in Virginia Beach present varied opportunities depending on the type of employment. For instance, those working in corporate animal hospitals might experience different hourly rates compared to independent clinics, with corporate entities like VCA and NVA dominating around 25% of the local market. A part-time veterinarian working 24 hours a week could bring home approximately $61,785 annually, whereas full-time counterparts may see higher total compensation despite differing benefit packages. In the realm of per-diem work, specialist veterinarians billing rates can reach $150-$250 per hour, particularly in surgical or emergency settings; engagement in weekend shifts can increase that rate further. Understanding this variance can help veterinarians prioritize job offers carefully—evaluating the trade-off between higher hourly wages and the associated benefits, such as health insurance often missing in higher-paid independent roles. Negotiating for hourly rates should consider these factors while being conscious of the competitive nature within different sectors in Virginia Beach’s veterinary market.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Virginia Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Virginia Beach?
Are veterinarians in Virginia Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Virginia Beach?
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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 Virginia Beach. 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