Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Cheshire, CT: $61.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Cheshire, CT runs $61.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,570 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Cheshire's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,146 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarians in Cheshire, CT can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $61.82 in 2026, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $66.03. This pay scale offers interesting possibilities for part-time and per-diem workers in diverse clinical settings, from general practice exam rooms to specialty referral hospitals or university clinics. Those working part-time—such as a veterinarian scheduled three days a week—can see hourly rates ranging from $37.39 for entry-level positions to $95.81 for experienced practitioners. This range signifies that there are ample opportunities for veterinarians in Cheshire to earn a competitive pay while managing varying work schedules, further enhancing the flexibility of their employment options.
About the Cheshire Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.39 | $299.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.35 | $394.79 |
| Median (P50) | $61.82 | $494.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.83 | $622.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.81 | $766.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cheshire
Based on $61.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.82/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cheshire, CT can expect to earn approximately $128,577 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,179. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cheshire.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cheshire
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,472.64 | $10,715 | $128,577 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,483.58 | $6,429 | $77,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $989.05 | $4,286 | $51,431 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Cheshire) | $61.82 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Cheshire, CT earn a median of $128,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.50% below the Connecticut state average of $134,628.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.82/hr = $77,146/year (purchasing power: $71,498).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,577/year (purchasing power: $119,163).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cheshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Cheshire grew 36.3% from $42.97/hr (2019) to $58.56/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.25/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 Cheshire 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 Cheshire
For part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can differ significantly from full-time roles, highlighting a unique earning dynamic in this profession. Per diem veterinarians in Cheshire could potentially command even greater hourly earnings, billing anywhere from $90 to $140 for general practice services, while specialty relief veterinarians may see rates soar to between $150 and $250 for high-demand skills like surgery or emergency care. The differences in hourly compensation often vary depending on the type of employer, with corporate clinics typically offering steadier benefits but slightly lower hourly rates compared to independent practices. As corporate consolidations shape the veterinary field, some may choose to accept lower hourly rates for job security and health benefits, while others opt for higher pay without benefits. Effective negotiation skills specific to hourly workers can empower veterinarians in Cheshire to secure favorable arrangements, critical in a landscape where pay structures differ by employer type and workload.
More salary data for Cheshire, CT:
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 Cheshire. 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 Cheshire 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