Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $81.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Los Angeles, CA runs $81.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,980 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,386 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Los Angeles, California, command a median hourly pay of $81.24, significantly outpacing the national median of $66.03. This hourly rate reflects the dynamic demands of various practice settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, specialty referral hospitals, and even equine ambulatory visits. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, this translates to substantial earnings, with the hourly range established between $34.21 for entry-level roles to as high as $144.15 for top-tier professionals. These figures, derived from official BLS data, underscore the competitive landscape of veterinary pay in CA, where such diverse settings can lead to varying financial rewards.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.21 | $273.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.71 | $493.68 |
| Median (P50) | $81.24 | $649.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107.64 | $861.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144.15 | $1153.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $81.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.24/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $168,977 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,487. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,249.56 | $14,081 | $168,977 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,949.74 | $8,449 | $101,386 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,299.82 | $5,633 | $67,591 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Los Angeles) | $81.24 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $168,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.04% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.20% above the California state average of $168,643.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.24/hr = $101,386/year (purchasing power: $89,275).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,977/year (purchasing power: $148,792).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+71.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Los Angeles grew 54.1% from $49.94/hr (2019) to $76.96/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.76/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
The potential for part-time veterinarians—particularly those working approximately 24 hours a week—can yield an annual income considerably lower than their full-time counterparts, yet still remains enticing in Los Angeles. Per diem veterinarian pay in Los Angeles reveals a broader picture, with relief veterinarians typically billing between $90 to $140 per hour at general practices, and specialty locum roles, which can range from $150 to $250 per hour for surgery or emergency medicine coverage. However, the differences in hourly rates across employer types highlight a trade-off, as independent practices might offer less than corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl, but often with added benefits like health insurance. Negotiating these rates can be crucial, especially given the rapidly evolving corporate consolidation trend affecting veterinary practices in CA. Understanding employer dynamics and market demands can provide veterinarians with the leverage needed for advancing their compensation while balancing the benefits received.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Los Angeles in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Los Angeles?
Are veterinarians in Los Angeles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Los Angeles?
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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 Los Angeles. 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