Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Lake Havasu City, AZ: $64.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Lake Havasu City, AZ runs $64.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,237 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Lake Havasu City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,545 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Havasu City, Arizona, veterinarians can expect to earn a median hourly wage of $64.54, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $66.03. This wage reflects the diverse opportunities available within the profession, from working in general practice exam rooms to conducting surgical procedures and providing care in specialty referral hospitals. For veterinarians considering part-time roles, such as those working three days a week, this hourly compensation translates into meaningful earnings, particularly for those seeking a flexible work-life balance. Within the Lake Havasu area, hourly pay ranges significantly, from approximately $37.43 for entry-level positions to $100.03 for the most experienced practitioners, demonstrating the potential for growth and variation in earnings across different veterinary contexts. These figures are closely estimated from annual salary data, providing a broad basis for understanding compensation trends in this region.
About the Lake Havasu City Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.43 | $299.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.15 | $417.17 |
| Median (P50) | $64.54 | $516.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.61 | $660.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.03 | $800.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Havasu City
Based on $64.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.54/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Havasu City, AZ can expect to earn approximately $134,242 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,447. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Havasu City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Havasu City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,581.58 | $11,187 | $134,242 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,548.95 | $6,712 | $80,545 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,032.63 | $4,475 | $53,697 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Lake Havasu City) | $64.54 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Lake Havasu City, AZ earn a median of $134,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.26% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $135,320.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.54/hr = $80,545/year (purchasing power: $81,772).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,242/year (purchasing power: $136,286).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lake Havasu City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lake Havasu City grew 36.3% from $44.86/hr (2019) to $61.14/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.13/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 Lake Havasu City 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 Lake Havasu City
Veterinarians interested in part-time work can realistically take home substantial income with a three-day workweek, accumulating roughly $81,196 annually, compared to a full-time salary. For those considering per-diem roles, the compensation can be significantly higher; relief veterinarians, for example, often charge between $90 and $140 per hour for general practices, while specialists can command even more substantial fees ranging from $150 to $250 per hour, depending on their expertise. In Lake Havasu City, employer types also influence hourly rates; corporate chains, independent practices, large animal facilities, and specialty hospitals each offer different compensation structures. While some veterinarians may accept lower hourly wages for the stability of health benefits from corporate employers, others may prefer to negotiate for higher pay without benefits in more independent settings. For those seeking to improve their hourly rate, strategies such as establishing a solid reputation within the community or considering agency work may yield better compensation in the burgeoning field of veterinary care.
More salary data for Lake Havasu City, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Lake Havasu City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Lake Havasu City?
Are veterinarians in Lake Havasu City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Lake Havasu City?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Lake Havasu City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 Lake Havasu City. 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 Lake Havasu City 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