Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Auburn, AL: $51.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Auburn, AL runs $51.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,679 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Auburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,012 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Auburn, Alabama, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $51.29. This figure falls significantly below the national hourly median of $66.03, highlighting a regional disparity that can affect both full-time and part-time veterinary professionals. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to 24 hours of work, allowing for flexible scheduling while still earning a decent income in settings like general practice exam rooms or surgical suites. Per-diem veterinarians can expect variability, as hourly rates may range widely depending on specific duties and location. The hourly pay structure reveals a range from $32.19 for entry-level positions to $84.47 for the top earners in the field, reflecting the diverse needs and opportunities across the veterinary landscape in Auburn.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.19 | $257.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.94 | $351.56 |
| Median (P50) | $51.29 | $410.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.10 | $536.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.47 | $675.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn
Based on $51.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.29/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn, AL can expect to earn approximately $106,687 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,550. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,051.66 | $8,891 | $106,687 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,231.00 | $5,334 | $64,012 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $820.67 | $3,556 | $42,675 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Auburn) | $51.29 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Auburn, AL earn a median of $106,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.32% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.60% below the Alabama state average of $108,414.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.29/hr = $64,012/year (purchasing power: $72,796).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,687/year (purchasing power: $121,327).
CoL index: 87.933 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+77.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Auburn grew 59.3% from $30.51/hr (2019) to $48.59/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.14/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 Auburn 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 Auburn
When considering part-time work at a typical 24-hour schedule per week, veterinarians in Auburn might find their annual take-home is ultimately below that of full-time peers, despite the desirable work-life balance. The per diem market also offers lucrative options; relief veterinarians can charge between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices, reaching $150 to $250 per hour in specialty fields, such as surgery or internal medicine. Auburn's veterinary scene features various employer types influencing hourly rates; corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl account for a sizeable share of the market, impacting compensation structures compared to independent clinics. While some may opt for roles with lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without such advantages. Understanding these dynamics is essential when negotiating compensation, especially in Auburn's evolving veterinary environment, which is increasingly shaped by corporate consolidation trends and the demand for specialty care.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
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 Auburn. 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