Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Thousand Oaks, CA: $80.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Thousand Oaks, CA runs $80.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,962 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Thousand Oaks's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,174 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians practicing in Thousand Oaks, California, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $80.27 in 2026, significantly above the national hourly median of $66.03. This elevated rate reflects the competitive nature of the local market, especially given the various work environments available, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, specialty referral hospitals, and university teaching clinics. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, their earnings can translate into a reliable income while offering flexibility. As for per-diem veterinarians, the market provides ample opportunities, with hourly rates ranging from $47.64 for entry-level positions to $124.42 for top earners. These figures demonstrate the profession's potential and variability in pay across different settings and levels of experience.
About the Thousand Oaks 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) | $47.64 | $381.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.60 | $508.80 |
| Median (P50) | $80.27 | $642.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102.74 | $821.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124.42 | $995.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thousand Oaks
Based on $80.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.27/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thousand Oaks, CA can expect to earn approximately $166,957 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,321. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Thousand Oaks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thousand Oaks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,210.71 | $13,913 | $166,957 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,926.43 | $8,348 | $100,174 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,284.29 | $5,565 | $66,783 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Thousand Oaks) | $80.27 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $166,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.57% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the California state average of $168,649.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.27/hr = $100,174/year (purchasing power: $88,571).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $166,957/year (purchasing power: $147,619).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Thousand Oaks grew 36.3% from $55.79/hr (2019) to $76.04/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.73/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 Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks
The earning potential for a veterinarian in Thousand Oaks varies widely based on work arrangements and practice types. A part-time veterinarian working 24 hours a week might bring in considerably less annually than their full-time counterparts, as consistent, full-time dedication remains the mainstay for higher overall earnings. The reality for per-diem veterinarians shows a lucrative side, where relief or locum roles can command $90 to $140 per hour in general practices, and even more in specialty settings, with rates reaching up to $250 per hour for skilled professionals in surgery or emergency care. Additionally, veterinarians from corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which constitute about 25% of the local market, may find their hourly pay influenced by standard corporate pay structures compared to independent clinics. For veterinarians negotiating their hourly rates in this competitive CA market, clarity about benefits such as health insurance versus hourly pay without benefits plays a key role, impacting decisions based on personal financial needs and lifestyle choices.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Thousand Oaks in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Thousand Oaks?
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Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Thousand Oaks?
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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 Thousand Oaks. 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 Thousand Oaks 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