Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Plant City, FL: $63.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Plant City, FL runs $63.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,079 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Plant City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $62.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,648 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plant City, Florida, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $63.02 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $66.03. This pay scale offers a compelling opportunity for both part-time and per-diem veterinarians working in varied settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For those seeking part-time work, a veterinarian working three days a week might anticipate earnings on the lower end of the scale, given the hourly range spans from $36.97 at the 10th percentile to up to $97.67 for top earners. This distribution indicates promising financial prospects but also illustrates a significant income variance that professionals in Plant City may experience.
About the Plant City 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) | $36.97 | $295.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.66 | $397.24 |
| Median (P50) | $63.02 | $504.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.08 | $640.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.67 | $781.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plant City
Based on $63.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.02/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plant City, FL can expect to earn approximately $131,080 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,623. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Plant City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plant City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,520.77 | $10,923 | $131,080 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,512.46 | $6,554 | $78,648 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,008.31 | $4,369 | $52,432 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Plant City) | $63.02 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Plant City, FL earn a median of $131,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.55% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.30% below the Florida state average of $138,415.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.02/hr = $78,648/year (purchasing power: $78,024).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,080/year (purchasing power: $130,040).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Plant City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Plant City grew 36.3% from $43.80/hr (2019) to $59.70/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.52/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 Plant City 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 Plant City
Veterinarians looking to maximize their income have viable options through per-diem roles, often generating higher earnings compared to traditional positions. For example, relief veterinarians can command rates from $90 to $140 per hour in general practices, while specialist relief veterinarians in surgery or internal medicine may see payments soar between $150 and $250 per hour. In terms of employer types in Plant City, established corporate chains could offer more stable hours and benefits, albeit potentially at lower rates, while independent practices or specialty hospitals might present higher compensation options at the cost of lacking additional benefits. Understanding these dynamics is essential for effective negotiation regarding hourly rates, particularly for veterinarians in a rapidly consolidating field, as seen with major players like VCA and BluePearl shaping the market.
More salary data for Plant City, 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 Plant City. 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 Plant City 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