Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Fort Lauderdale, FL: $64.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Fort Lauderdale, FL runs $64.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,121 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Fort Lauderdale's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,072 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians practicing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earn a median hourly pay of $64.96, which is slightly lower than the national median of $66.03. This hourly pay reflects the competitive landscape veterinarians face in various settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. With the hourly rate ranging from $37.67 at the entry level to $100.69 for top earners, veterinarians can find both part-time roles and per-diem opportunities that cater to diverse financial and lifestyle needs. Part-time veterinarians working three days a week might typically enjoy a work-life balance while still earning a respectable income, which can be appealing for those looking to avoid full-time commitments while engaging in the field.
About the Fort Lauderdale Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.67 | $301.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.67 | $405.35 |
| Median (P50) | $64.96 | $519.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.15 | $665.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.69 | $805.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Lauderdale
Based on $64.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.96/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Lauderdale, FL can expect to earn approximately $135,120 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,954. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Lauderdale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Lauderdale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,598.46 | $11,260 | $135,120 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,559.08 | $6,756 | $81,072 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,039.39 | $4,504 | $54,048 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Fort Lauderdale) | $64.96 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Fort Lauderdale, FL earn a median of $135,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.61% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.40% below the Florida state average of $138,444.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.96/hr = $81,072/year (purchasing power: $80,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,120/year (purchasing power: $134,048).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fort Lauderdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Fort Lauderdale grew 36.3% from $45.15/hr (2019) to $61.54/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.57/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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale
Given the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine in Fort Lauderdale, part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week can anticipate a significant annual income compared to those in full-time positions. Moreover, per diem and locum veterinarians often command higher pay rates, billing anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices, with specialty roles in surgery or emergency care sometimes reaching $150 to $250 per hour. This variability illustrates how hourly rates differ across various types of employment, such as small animal clinics, mixed practices, or government roles. Additionally, while corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl may offer consistent pay, independent practices might negotiate lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. For veterinarians navigating their pay in Fort Lauderdale, being aware of industry standards and understanding how to negotiate effectively can greatly influence their overall financial health.
More salary data for Fort Lauderdale, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Fort Lauderdale in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Fort Lauderdale?
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Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Lauderdale?
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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 Fort Lauderdale. 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 Fort Lauderdale 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