Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Rancho Cucamonga, CA: $82.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Rancho Cucamonga, CA runs $82.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,939 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Rancho Cucamonga's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,559 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rancho Cucamonga, veterinarians are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $82.18 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $66.03. This favorable rate translates well for part-time veterinarians, such as those working three days per week, as well as per-diem workers who may find opportunities in various settings including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and university teaching hospitals. Entry-level veterinarians can expect to earn around $47.66 per hour, while the top earners in this field could make as much as $127.38 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary data broken down into hourly rates, providing a solid foundation for understanding the financial landscape of the profession in the region.
About the Rancho Cucamonga Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.66 | $381.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.87 | $526.96 |
| Median (P50) | $82.18 | $657.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104.94 | $839.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127.38 | $1019.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rancho Cucamonga
Based on $82.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.18/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rancho Cucamonga, CA can expect to earn approximately $170,931 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,614. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rancho Cucamonga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rancho Cucamonga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,287.14 | $14,244 | $170,931 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,972.28 | $8,547 | $102,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,314.86 | $5,698 | $68,372 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Rancho Cucamonga) | $82.18 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earn a median of $170,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.47% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.40% above the California state average of $168,578.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.18/hr = $102,559/year (purchasing power: $90,680).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,931/year (purchasing power: $151,133).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rancho Cucamonga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Rancho Cucamonga grew 36.3% from $57.12/hr (2019) to $77.85/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.75/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 Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga
When considering part-time opportunities, a veterinarian in Rancho Cucamonga working 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $102,770 annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem veterinarians often bill $90-$140 per hour in general practices and can command even higher rates—ranging from $150 to $250—when stepping into specialized roles or emergency coverage. Hourly rates might vary quite a bit depending on the employer type; for instance, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl typically provide stable hourly pay but may come with less freedom compared to independent practices, which might offer lower wages but more autonomy. Factors like health insurance can also influence choices, with some professionals opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits. Negotiating your hourly rate in this market requires awareness of these dynamics, particularly considering the increasing consolidation in the veterinary field that can standardize pay scales significantly across varying practice types.
More salary data for Rancho Cucamonga, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Rancho Cucamonga in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Rancho Cucamonga?
Are veterinarians in Rancho Cucamonga paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Rancho Cucamonga?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Rancho Cucamonga?
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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 Rancho Cucamonga. 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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