Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $68.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Denver, CO runs $68.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,601 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,564 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian hourly pay in Denver, Colorado, is projected at $68.56, offering a notable advantage over the national average of $66.03. This competitive rate allows veterinarians working part-time, such as those with three-day-a-week schedules, to earn a substantial income while balancing other commitments. Per-diem veterinarians can capitalize on flexible opportunities found in various clinical settings, including general practice exam rooms, specialty referral hospitals, and USDA inspection sites. The hourly compensation reflects a wide range, with entry-level positions starting around $43.78 and experienced professionals reaching as high as $110.61, indicating robust growth potential in the veterinary field.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.78 | $350.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.35 | $514.80 |
| Median (P50) | $68.56 | $548.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.34 | $666.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110.61 | $884.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $68.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.56/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $142,607 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,273. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,742.45 | $11,884 | $142,607 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,645.47 | $7,130 | $85,564 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,096.98 | $4,754 | $57,043 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Denver) | $68.56 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Denver, CO earn a median of $142,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 6.60% above the Colorado state average of $133,772.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.56/hr = $85,564/year (purchasing power: $80,887).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,607/year (purchasing power: $134,812).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Denver grew 40.5% from $46.22/hr (2019) to $64.95/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.37/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 Denver 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 Denver
Considering the earning potential for part-time veterinarians, working in Denver for three days a week equates to approximately 24 hours of labor, allowing for significant yearly earnings but still considerably less than full-time roles. Those considering per diem work can find themselves in flexible arrangements, billing anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices, while specialty relief roles offer even more lucrative hourly rates ranging from $150 to $250. Hourly earnings also vary significantly across employer types in Denver, with larger corporate chains often offering stable benefits but comparatively lower pay than independent practices. Veterinary professionals negotiating their terms should weigh the value of benefits against hourly rates and understand industry standards to make informed decisions that cater to their career goals in a rapidly consolidating field.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Denver in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Denver. 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