Veterinarian Hourly Pay in San Buenaventura, CA: $81.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in San Buenaventura, CA runs $81.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,312 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against San Buenaventura's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,190 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in San Buenaventura, CA, earn a median hourly pay of $81.88, significantly higher than the national median of $66.03. This advantageous hourly rate reflects the diverse work settings veterinarians operate within, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For those contemplating part-time work or per-diem arrangements, the potential earnings can be appealing; a veterinarian working three days a week can expect to earn a respectable income while balancing other commitments. The hourly pay spectrum for veterinarians in San Buenaventura ranges from $48.78 for entry-level positions to $126.91 for top-tier professionals, highlighting the rewarding opportunities available in the field. These estimates are derived from annual salaries but provide a comprehensive overview of the potential at an hourly level.
About the San Buenaventura 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) | $48.78 | $390.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.27 | $522.14 |
| Median (P50) | $81.88 | $655.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104.81 | $838.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126.91 | $1015.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Buenaventura
Based on $81.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.88/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Buenaventura, CA can expect to earn approximately $170,316 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,259. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Buenaventura.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Buenaventura
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,275.32 | $14,193 | $170,316 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,965.19 | $8,516 | $102,190 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,310.13 | $5,677 | $68,127 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (San Buenaventura) | $81.88 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in San Buenaventura, CA earn a median of $170,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.01% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% above the California state average of $168,625.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.88/hr = $102,190/year (purchasing power: $90,354).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,316/year (purchasing power: $150,589).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in San Buenaventura (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in San Buenaventura grew 36.3% from $56.92/hr (2019) to $77.57/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.44/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 San Buenaventura 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 San Buenaventura
When it comes to practical earning potential, a veterinarian in San Buenaventura working part-time at 24 hours per week can bring home an annual income of roughly $102,000, which varies significantly from full-time earnings. Per diem veterinarians, especially in a market that demands flexible staffing, often command higher rates, billing between $90-$140 per hour in general practice and even more in specialized areas; rates can rise to $150-$250 for specialty relief in surgery or emergency care. The structure of hourly rates often varies depending on the type of employer; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl make up about 25% of the market, typically offering more stable benefits but potentially lower hourly rates compared to independent practices. Many veterinarians weigh the value of stable health insurance and benefits against higher hourly compensation, leading to a diverse working reality across the city. Understanding market trends and engaging in effective negotiations based on the San Buenaventura veterinarian hourly pay landscape can set practitioners on a path to ensure their compensation aligns with their professional contributions and lifestyle needs.
More salary data for San Buenaventura, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in San Buenaventura in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in San Buenaventura?
Are veterinarians in San Buenaventura paid hourly or salary?
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Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in San Buenaventura?
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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 San Buenaventura. 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 San Buenaventura 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