Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Tallahassee, FL: $71.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Tallahassee, FL runs $71.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,660 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Tallahassee's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,200 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Tallahassee, Florida, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $71.47 in 2026, representing a notable increase compared to the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This higher local rate can significantly impact part-time veterinarians working around three days a week, allowing them to achieve a comfortable income while balancing professional and personal lives. Per-diem work also offers lucrative possibilities across various settings, whether in general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty referral hospitals. Entry-level veterinarians in Tallahassee typically earn around $35.02 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach as high as $97.46 per hour, reflecting the spectrum of opportunities within the field. This data is sourced from official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections based on 2025 figures, offering insight into the veterinarian hourly pay landscape in Tallahassee.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.02 | $280.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.92 | $407.38 |
| Median (P50) | $71.47 | $571.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.02 | $624.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.46 | $779.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tallahassee
Based on $71.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.47/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tallahassee, FL can expect to earn approximately $148,667 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,770. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tallahassee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tallahassee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,858.99 | $12,389 | $148,667 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,715.39 | $7,433 | $89,200 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,143.59 | $4,956 | $59,467 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Tallahassee) | $71.47 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Tallahassee, FL earn a median of $148,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.25% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 7.30% above the Florida state average of $138,546.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.47/hr = $89,200/year (purchasing power: $94,976).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,667/year (purchasing power: $158,293).
CoL index: 93.919 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Tallahassee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Tallahassee grew 41.5% from $47.84/hr (2019) to $67.71/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.45/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 Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee
For a part-time veterinarian working in Tallahassee at an average of 24 hours a week, annual earnings may fall significantly short of a full-time practitioner, potentially leading to a take-home income that may be roughly half of what full-timers earn. In contrast, per diem positions are enticing for those willing to take on variable hours, as relief and locum veterinarians can charge anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices. Meanwhile, specialists often command significantly higher rates, with some billing between $150 and $250 per hour for surgical and specialty services. Hourly pay also fluctuates based on the type of employer; corporate chains often have set pay structures that can be lower than independent practices, while government roles might offer stability in exchange for a more modest hourly rate. Negotiating for a more favorable hourly rate can hinge on articulating the total compensation value, including benefits like health insurance, which some may forgo for higher cash pay. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for veterinarians navigating their career in Tallahassee, FL, especially in a market influenced by corporate consolidation trends.
More salary data for Tallahassee, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Tallahassee in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Tallahassee?
Are veterinarians in Tallahassee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Tallahassee?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Tallahassee?
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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 Tallahassee. 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