Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Fairmont, WV: $53.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Fairmont, WV runs $53.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,546 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Fairmont's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,331 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairmont, West Virginia, veterinarians earn a median hourly pay of $53.15, which positions them below the national median of $66.03 per hour. This disparity may impact those considering part-time roles or per-diem work, particularly in diverse settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and even equine ambulatory services. With an hourly range spanning from $33.68 at entry-level positions to $82.38 for top earners, the flexibility of working three days a week could lead to an annual income that might not fully reflect the effort and expertise these professionals bring to the table. It's important to note that these hourly rates are projected based on annual salary data, emphasizing the varied earning potential across the practice spectrum in Fairmont.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.68 | $269.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.47 | $347.76 |
| Median (P50) | $53.15 | $425.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.23 | $529.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.38 | $659.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairmont
Based on $53.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.15/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairmont, WV can expect to earn approximately $110,551 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,779. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fairmont.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairmont
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,125.98 | $9,213 | $110,551 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,275.59 | $5,528 | $66,331 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $850.39 | $3,685 | $44,220 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Fairmont) | $53.15 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Fairmont, WV earn a median of $110,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.51% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $118,739.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.15/hr = $66,331/year (purchasing power: $76,683).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,551/year (purchasing power: $127,804).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Fairmont grew 36.3% from $36.94/hr (2019) to $50.35/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.10/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 Fairmont 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 Fairmont
Analyzing the part-time earning potential in Fairmont reveals that a veterinarian working 24 hours a week would take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, which could influence career decisions in the field. Relief or locum veterinarians enjoy competitive per diem veterinarian pay in Fairmont, often billing between $90-$140 per hour in general practice, while specialty relief vets can command rates of $150-$250 per hour. Hourly compensation varies widely across different practice types; those in corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl often receive benefits at the cost of lower hourly rates, whereas independent practices may offer less predictable pay but potentially higher earnings. Factors such as health insurance and benefits play into decision-making for many veterinarians, driving some to accept lower hourly pay for the stability these packages provide. Negotiating an hourly rate can be crucial in Fairmont, especially given the corporate consolidation trend affecting pay scales and benefits in the region.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Fairmont in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Fairmont?
Are veterinarians in Fairmont paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Fairmont?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Fairmont?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in West 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 Fairmont. 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 Fairmont 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