Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Vestavia Hills, AL: $50.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Vestavia Hills, AL runs $50.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,077 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Vestavia Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,444 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians practicing in Vestavia Hills, AL, can expect a median hourly pay of $50.04, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $66.03. This substantial difference indicates that local veterinarians may face challenges in competing with larger markets. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, typically in environments such as general practice exam rooms or specialty referral hospitals, the hourly rate offers a foundation for earning a reasonable income. In Vestavia Hills, hourly compensation ranges from $29.21 at entry-level positions to about $77.55 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse skill sets and roles veterinarians can undertake in various settings, including private practices and pharmaceutical industry offices.
About the Vestavia Hills Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.21 | $233.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.16 | $313.30 |
| Median (P50) | $50.04 | $400.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.33 | $506.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.55 | $620.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vestavia Hills
Based on $50.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.04/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vestavia Hills, AL can expect to earn approximately $104,074 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,043. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vestavia Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vestavia Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,001.42 | $8,673 | $104,074 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,200.85 | $5,204 | $62,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $800.57 | $3,469 | $41,629 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Vestavia Hills) | $50.04 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $104,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.22% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $108,413.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.04/hr = $62,444/year (purchasing power: $71,040).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,074/year (purchasing power: $118,400).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Vestavia Hills grew 36.3% from $34.78/hr (2019) to $47.40/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.82/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 Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills
The earning potential for veterinarians varies widely, especially between those in full-time versus part-time positions. A veterinarian working part-time at 24 hours per week could see an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, impacting overall financial stability, especially with rising living costs. Per diem veterinarian pay in Vestavia Hills frequently exceeds the average rates, with relief vets billing anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices; specialty services can demand even higher rates, up to $250 per hour. Hourly rates also differ across practice types, like corporate chains and independent clinics, which can impact job security and benefits. Some veterinarians may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for healthcare benefits, while others prefer higher rates without benefits. Negotiating hourly rates is crucial; understanding the local market dynamics in Vestavia Hills can give veterinarians an edge in securing favorable compensation tailored to their need for work-life balance and benefits.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Vestavia Hills in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Vestavia Hills?
Are veterinarians in Vestavia Hills paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Vestavia Hills?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Vestavia Hills?
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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 Vestavia Hills. 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 Vestavia Hills 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