Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $83.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Sacramento, CA runs $83.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $174,448 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $78.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $104,667 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Sacramento, California, can expect a median hourly rate of $83.87, significantly higher than the national median of $66.03. This robust hourly compensation offers a competitive edge for part-time veterinarians working three days a week or per-diem professionals in various clinical settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. With the hourly range for veterinary positions in Sacramento stretching from $44.27 for entry-level roles to $149.53 for top earners, the profession presents diverse opportunities for those with varying levels of experience. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected for 2026 based on 2025 figures, reflects the growing value placed on veterinary services amid rising demand.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.27 | $354.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.79 | $518.34 |
| Median (P50) | $83.87 | $670.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109.50 | $875.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149.53 | $1196.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $83.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.87/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $174,444 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $100,641. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,354.70 | $14,537 | $174,444 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,012.82 | $8,722 | $104,667 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,341.88 | $5,815 | $69,778 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Sacramento) | $83.87 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $174,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.02% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.40% above the California state average of $168,712.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.87/hr = $104,667/year (purchasing power: $98,122).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $174,444/year (purchasing power: $163,536).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+73.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Sacramento grew 55.3% from $51.17/hr (2019) to $79.45/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $88.53/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Focusing on the financial landscape for part-time veterinarians reveals that those working 24 hours a week can take home a substantially different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Relief and locum veterinarians often engage in per-diem work, billing between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices, with specialty relief positions earning even higher rates of $150 to $250 per hour. The hourly rates can also fluctuate depending on the type of employer in Sacramento. Corporate chains, like VCA and BluePearl, may offer fewer benefits but competitive pay, while independent practices might provide a more accommodating work-life balance, albeit at a different hourly rate. Negotiating hourly wages can be essential, as some veterinarians might accept lower rates in exchange for health benefits. Understanding the dynamics of veterinarian hourly pay in Sacramento allows professionals to make informed decisions, balancing potential earnings against personal career goals and lifestyle choices.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Sacramento in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Sacramento?
Are veterinarians in Sacramento paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Sacramento?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Sacramento?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Sacramento. 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