Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Huntington, WV: $56.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Huntington, WV runs $56.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,594 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Huntington's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,559 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Veterinarians in Huntington, West Virginia, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $56.54, notably lower than the national median of $66.03. This rate reflects the financial landscape for those working in diverse settings, such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For veterinarians pursuing part-time or per-diem opportunities, which are common in the field, this hourly rate can yield varying annual incomes based on a work schedule of three days a week, allowing professionals to balance their career with personal commitments. The hourly pay scale for veterinarians in Huntington ranges from entry-level positions at $27.07 to experienced practitioners earning up to $85.89, highlighting the potential for growth and specialization in this profession, according to the 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.07 | $216.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.84 | $374.70 |
| Median (P50) | $56.54 | $452.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.94 | $631.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.89 | $687.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington
Based on $56.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.54/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington, WV can expect to earn approximately $117,599 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,846. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,261.52 | $9,800 | $117,599 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,356.91 | $5,880 | $70,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $904.61 | $3,920 | $47,040 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Huntington) | $56.54 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Huntington, WV earn a median of $117,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.37% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the West Virginia state average of $118,782.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.54/hr = $70,559/year (purchasing power: $79,798).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,599/year (purchasing power: $132,997).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Huntington grew 36.6% from $39.20/hr (2019) to $53.56/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.68/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 Huntington 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 Huntington
Part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week in Huntington can find themselves earning a significantly reduced annual income compared to their full-time counterparts, impacting their financial outlook. The per diem landscape allows some flexibility, with relief veterinarians often billing between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, and specialty relief roles commanding rates from $150 to $250 per hour. When considering various employer types, such as corporate chains like VCA and independent practices, hourly rates can fluctuate widely. Those in large animal practices or rural mixed practices may experience different financial dynamics compared to specialty referral hospitals or government roles. Many veterinarians face the choice between accepting a lower hourly rate that offers benefits versus a higher rate without them. Negotiating effectively can be key to optimizing earnings, especially in a market where corporate consolidation may lessen individual bargaining power. Understanding local industry trends will aid in navigating pay variations across Huntington's veterinary scene.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Huntington in 2026?
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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 Huntington. 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