Veterinarian Salary

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.

$128,570
Median Annual Salary
$61.82/hr
Hourly Rate
$77,762
Entry Level (P10)
$199,284
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarian Hourly Rate in Cheshire, CT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Cheshire, CT veterinarian hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a veterinarian in Cheshire earning $61.82/hr would make approximately $74,179 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $128,577 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$74,179Reduced (32 hr/wk)$98,905Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$128,577

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$494.53
per 8hr shift
$2,472.64
per week
$10,715
per month
$128,577
per year

Schedule Comparison in Cheshire

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinarian median salary in Cheshire ($128,570) with Connecticut average ($134,628) and the US national median ($137,334).Cheshire$128,570Connecticut Avg$134,628-4.50%US National$137,334-6.38%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for veterinarians in Cheshire. Baseline $42.97/hr in 2025, projected to $65.25/hr by 2027.$38$47$56$65$732019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$42.97$44.67$45.18$46.48$53.61$68.35$58.56$61.82$65.25
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$42.97/hrActual
2020$44.67/hrActual
2021$45.18/hrActual
2022$46.48/hrActual
2023$53.61/hrActual
2024$68.35/hrActual
2025$58.56/hrActual
2026(current)$61.82/hrEstimated
2027$65.25/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cheshire metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Cheshire in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for veterinarians in Cheshire is $61.82/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Rates range from $37.39 at entry level (10th percentile) to $95.81 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 6.4% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time veterinarians make in Cheshire?

A part-time veterinarian working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Cheshire earns approximately $6,429/month, or $77,146/year at the median hourly rate of $61.82. Many veterinarians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are veterinarians in Cheshire paid hourly or salary?

The majority of veterinarians in Cheshire are paid hourly at a median rate of $61.82/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $128,577/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Cheshire?

A full-time veterinarian working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Cheshire earns approximately $128,577/year at the median hourly rate of $61.82. This is 6.4% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $199,277/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Cheshire?

Part-time and per diem veterinarians in Cheshire sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $95.81/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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