Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Federal Way, WA: $79.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Federal Way, WA runs $79.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Federal Way's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,410 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Federal Way, Washington, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $79.66 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $66.03. This elevated rate underscores the demand for veterinary professionals in the region, making part-time positions particularly attractive. For example, a veterinarian working three days a week can earn a solid income, even in a reduced work schedule, while per-diem veterinarians can capitalize on flexible opportunities. With hourly earnings ranging from $46.20 at the entry level to $123.47 for top earners, the profession offers ample opportunities in diverse settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, equine ambulatory visits, and specialty referral hospitals. These figures, sourced from annual salary estimates, illustrate the financial viability of maintaining a career in veterinary medicine in Federal Way.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.20 | $369.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.72 | $493.77 |
| Median (P50) | $79.66 | $637.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101.96 | $815.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123.47 | $987.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Federal Way
Based on $79.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.66/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Federal Way, WA can expect to earn approximately $165,684 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,587. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Federal Way.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Federal Way
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,186.22 | $13,807 | $165,684 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,911.73 | $8,284 | $99,410 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,274.49 | $5,523 | $66,273 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Federal Way) | $79.66 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Federal Way, WA earn a median of $165,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.65% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $167,192.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.66/hr = $99,410/year (purchasing power: $92,561).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,684/year (purchasing power: $154,268).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Federal Way grew 36.3% from $55.37/hr (2019) to $75.46/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.08/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 Federal Way 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 Federal Way
For those considering part-time work, a veterinarian dedicating 24 hours per week can earn a respectable income, albeit less than full-time counterparts, which can be appealing for those wishing to balance work and personal commitments. Additionally, per-diem and locum veterinarians in Federal Way can command impressive hourly rates, often billing $90-$140 in general practices, with specialty roles reaching $150-$250 per hour. Various employer types influence pay, where independent clinics may offer different rates compared to corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl. It's also important to weigh the benefits; while some might prefer the stability and health insurance offered by corporate jobs at slightly lower hourly rates, others may opt for higher pay without benefits at private practices. Negotiating for higher hourly pay can be effective, especially in such a competitive job market where specialized skills are increasingly in demand.
More salary data for Federal Way, WA:
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 Federal Way. 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 Federal Way 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