Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Upland, CA: $78.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Upland, CA runs $78.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $163,080 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Upland's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $97,842 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Upland, California, offers veterinarians a competitive hourly pay rate of $78.40, significantly higher than the national median of $66.03 for this profession. This difference suggests lucrative opportunities, particularly for part-time and per-diem veterinarians working in diverse settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. The projected hourly range for veterinarians in Upland spans $45.48 at the 10th percentile to $121.53 at the 90th percentile, indicating that entry-level positions might start on the lower end, while highly experienced veterinarians can command top-dollar rates. These figures stem from estimates based on annual salary data, reflecting a robust market for veterinarians in this region.
About the Upland 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) | $45.48 | $363.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.94 | $487.52 |
| Median (P50) | $78.40 | $627.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100.36 | $802.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121.53 | $972.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Upland
Based on $78.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.40/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Upland, CA can expect to earn approximately $163,071 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,079. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Upland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Upland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,135.98 | $13,589 | $163,071 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,881.59 | $8,154 | $97,842 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,254.39 | $5,436 | $65,228 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Upland) | $78.40 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Upland, CA earn a median of $163,080 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the California state average of $168,645.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.40/hr = $97,842/year (purchasing power: $86,510).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $163,071/year (purchasing power: $144,183).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Upland grew 36.3% from $54.50/hr (2019) to $74.27/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $82.76/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 Upland 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 Upland
Part-time veterinarians working three days a week, usually clocking around 24 hours, can expect considerably different annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. While many veterinarians utilize relief or locum work to enhance their income, they often bill between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices. Specialty relief positions can command rates from $150 to $250 per hour, particularly in fields like surgery or emergency care. In Upland, hourly pay can vary depending on the type of employer; corporate chains may offer different benefits compared to independent practices, leading some veterinarians to prioritize health insurance over higher hourly rates. Negotiating hourly pay effectively in this market requires insight into these variations, emphasizing the value of experience and specialty credentials to secure favorable compensation while considering the corporate consolidation trends reshaping practice structures in veterinary medicine.
More salary data for Upland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Upland. 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 Upland 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