Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Durango, CO: $60.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Durango, CO runs $60.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,382 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Durango's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,223 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Durango, Colorado, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $60.27, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $66.03. For veterinarians working part-time, such as those in general practice exam rooms or surgical suites, this translates to varying pay based on their schedules. For example, a veterinarian working three days a week might expect a significant portion of their income to come from this hourly rate along with opportunities for per-diem positions. The hourly pay ranges widely from $38.91 at the lower end for entry-level roles to $93.43 for top earners, reflecting the diverse settings in which veterinarians operate, including specialty hospitals, equine practices, and pharmaceutical industry offices. This hourly wage data is derived from annual salary estimates, underscoring the multifaceted earning potential within this profession.
About the Durango Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.91 | $311.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.82 | $398.59 |
| Median (P50) | $60.27 | $482.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.37 | $587.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.43 | $747.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durango
Based on $60.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.27/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durango, CO can expect to earn approximately $125,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,330. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Durango.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durango
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,410.99 | $10,448 | $125,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,446.59 | $6,269 | $75,223 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $964.40 | $4,179 | $50,149 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Durango) | $60.27 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Durango, CO earn a median of $125,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $133,812.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.27/hr = $75,223/year (purchasing power: $71,641).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,372/year (purchasing power: $119,401).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Durango grew 36.3% from $41.90/hr (2019) to $57.10/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.63/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 Durango 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 Durango
When considering part-time work versus full-time employment, veterinarians in Durango can see considerable differences in annual earnings. A veterinarian working three days a week (24 hours) may effectively earn around $74,971 annually, while full-time veterinarians see higher figures that reflect full engagement in practice. Per diem veterinarians in the area often find lucrative opportunities, regularly billing rates ranging from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices and up to $150 to $250 per hour for specialty relief work, including emergency clinics. Hourly pay can greatly vary based on practice type—corporate chains often set different wage scales compared to independent practices or government roles. The trade-off often involves balancing higher hourly rates with benefits such as health insurance, which some veterinarians may find advantageous. Negotiating pay can also be crucial, and local veterinarians should be prepared to discuss their worth based on market comparisons and personal experience to secure a suitable rate in Durango's evolving veterinary field.
More salary data for Durango, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Durango in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Durango?
Are veterinarians in Durango paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Durango?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Durango?
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 Durango. 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 Durango 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