Veterinarian Salary

Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, FL: $67.91 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Jacksonville, FL runs $67.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,250 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,748 per year.

$141,250
Median Annual Salary
$67.91/hr
Hourly Rate
$66,556
Entry Level (P10)
$223,766
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

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

In Jacksonville, Florida, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at an impressive $67.91, slightly exceeding the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This competitive pay enables veterinarians in various roles—whether in bustling general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty referral hospitals—to flourish financially. For those opting for part-time work, such as a three-day week, their earnings can still be significant given the hourly structure. Entry-level veterinarians might start at $32.00 per hour, while highly experienced practitioners can see their pay rise to $107.58 per hour. These figures, rooted in official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, illustrate the varied and ample opportunities available in Jacksonville’s veterinary profession.

Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$32.00$255.96
Lower Range (P25)$48.83$390.66
Median (P50)$67.91$543.25
Upper Range (P75)$85.37$682.93
Top Earners (P90)$107.58$860.61

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville

Based on $67.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a veterinarian in Jacksonville earning $67.91/hr would make approximately $81,488 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $141,246 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$81,488Reduced (32 hr/wk)$108,651Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$141,246

At $67.91/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, FL can expect to earn approximately $141,246 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,488. With a cost-of-living index of 99.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.

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

Hourly Rate Calculator

$543.25
per 8hr shift
$2,716.27
per week
$11,771
per month
$141,246
per year

Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,716.27$11,771$141,246
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,629.76$7,062$84,748
Per Diem (16 hrs)$1,086.51$4,708$56,498

Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Veterinarian (Jacksonville)$67.91
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 Jacksonville ($141,250) with Florida average ($138,480) and the US national median ($137,334).Jacksonville$141,250Florida Avg$138,480+2.00%US National$137,334+2.85%

Veterinarians in Jacksonville, FL earn a median of $141,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.85% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% above the Florida state average of $138,480.

Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $67.91/hr = $84,748/year (purchasing power: $85,187).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,246/year (purchasing power: $141,979).

CoL index: 99.484 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$42.89/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$64.33/hr

2026 Current Est.

$67.91/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+67.1%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Jacksonville (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 Jacksonville. Baseline $42.89/hr in 2025, projected to $71.68/hr by 2027.$37$47$57$67$772019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$42.89$46.98$48.56$49.15$62.21$63.05$64.33$67.91$71.68
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$42.89/hrActual
2020$46.98/hrActual
2021$48.56/hrActual
2022$49.15/hrActual
2023$62.21/hrActual
2024$63.05/hrActual
2025$64.33/hrActual
2026(current)$67.91/hrEstimated
2027$71.68/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Jacksonville grew 50.0% from $42.89/hr (2019) to $64.33/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.68/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville

Considering the part-time earning capabilities for veterinarians who work 24 hours a week, their annual take-home can still be substantial compared to full-time workers. Generally, part-time veterinarians may earn around $104,000, reflecting a solid income relative to Jacksonville's cost of living index, which hovers below the national average. Additionally, per diem and relief veterinarians often find themselves commanding higher rates; they can expect to bill between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices, while specialty roles may push this rate to between $150 and $250. The type of employer also greatly impacts earnings; corporate chains like VCA and NVA often offer different hourly rates compared to independent practices or university teaching hospitals. While corporate environments may provide stability and benefits, many experienced veterinarians weigh the trade-offs, opting for higher hourly rates over comprehensive benefits packages. Negotiating hourly pay in a competitive market like Jacksonville requires a keen understanding of these dynamics and the ability to articulate one's value, particularly for specialized roles or those willing to take on weekend shifts in understaffed clinics.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for veterinarians in Jacksonville is $67.91/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Rates range from $32.00 at entry level (10th percentile) to $107.58 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 2.9% above 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 Jacksonville?

A part-time veterinarian working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Jacksonville earns approximately $7,062/month, or $84,748/year at the median hourly rate of $67.91. 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 Jacksonville paid hourly or salary?

The majority of veterinarians in Jacksonville are paid hourly at a median rate of $67.91/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $141,246/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 Jacksonville?

A full-time veterinarian working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Jacksonville earns approximately $141,246/year at the median hourly rate of $67.91. This is 2.9% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $223,758/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 Jacksonville?

Part-time and per diem veterinarians in Jacksonville sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $107.58/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 Jacksonville. 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

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