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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.68/hr | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 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.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
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 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