Veterinarian Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $81.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in San Diego, CA runs $81.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,632 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,175 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian hourly pay in San Diego, California, is projected to be $81.07. This figure significantly surpasses the national median of $66.03, making San Diego an attractive location for veterinary professionals. For part-time veterinarians working approximately three days a week, this hourly rate can yield a solid income, especially in various clinical settings like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and university teaching hospitals. The hourly range for veterinarians in the area stretches from $34.28 for entry-level positions to $140.18 for top-tier professionals. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the job market's potential in the field of veterinary medicine for those in San Diego.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.28 | $274.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.20 | $505.59 |
| Median (P50) | $81.07 | $648.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101.28 | $810.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140.18 | $1121.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $81.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.07/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $168,626 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,284. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,242.80 | $14,052 | $168,626 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,945.68 | $8,431 | $101,175 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,297.12 | $5,621 | $67,450 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (San Diego) | $81.07 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in San Diego, CA earn a median of $168,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.79% higher than the national median of $137,334.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.07/hr = $101,175/year (purchasing power: $90,426).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,626/year (purchasing power: $150,711).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in San Diego grew 46.0% from $52.61/hr (2019) to $76.80/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.58/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 Diego 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 Diego
When examining part-time earning potential, a veterinarian working a 24-hour week could expect a substantial annual income compared to full-time work. In contrast, per diem veterinarians may find even greater financial flexibility, with billing rates that often range from $90 to $140 per hour in general practices and upwards of $150 to $250 per hour for specialty relief work. Professions serving underserved markets, such as weekend emergency coverage, can command rates between $150 and $200 per hour. Variability in hourly pay also exists across different types of practices, including corporate chains, independent clinics, and specialty referral hospitals, where rates may fluctuate based on the employer's benefits package. Consequently, some veterinarians may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits, while others seek flexible hours and higher compensation. Effective negotiation remains a vital skill for hourly workers in San Diego, especially as corporate consolidation shapes compensation packages across the industry.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in San Diego in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in San Diego?
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How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in San Diego?
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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 Diego. 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