Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $66.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Tampa, FL runs $66.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,484 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,088 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, veterinarians earn a median hourly rate of $66.58, which slightly surpasses the national median of $66.03. This competitive pay scale translates well for those in part-time positions, such as veterinarians working three days a week. They can find fulfilling roles across various settings, including general practice, surgical suites, and even specialty referral hospitals. For part-time veterinarians, the hourly rates can range from entry-level levels of $31.67 to experienced professionals earning up to $105.52 per hour according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The diversity of work environments available to veterinarians offers flexible earning potential that can suit both their professional passions and lifestyle preferences.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.67 | $253.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.27 | $314.15 |
| Median (P50) | $66.58 | $532.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.57 | $676.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.52 | $844.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $66.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.58/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $138,480 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,892. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,663.07 | $11,540 | $138,480 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,597.84 | $6,924 | $83,088 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,065.23 | $4,616 | $55,392 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Tampa) | $66.58 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Tampa, FL earn a median of $138,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.84% higher than the national median of $137,334.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.58/hr = $83,088/year (purchasing power: $82,355).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,480/year (purchasing power: $137,258).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+77.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Tampa grew 58.9% from $39.69/hr (2019) to $63.07/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.28/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
For those considering part-time opportunities, a veterinarian working 24 hours per week can still achieve a reasonable annual income, enabling a balanced life while fulfilling their professional commitments. The per diem veterinarian pay in Tampa often reflects varying demands, with relief vets billing between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices. Specialized fields, such as surgery or emergency care, command even higher rates, ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. Different employer types also influence hourly earnings; large corporate veterinary clinics may offer lower rates but often provide benefits that independent practices do not. As the industry sees a trend towards corporate consolidation, many practitioners can negotiate terms that suit their personal priorities—whether that means prioritizing immediate pay or seeking job security with benefits. Aspiring veterinarians should approach negotiations with an understanding of market trends and be prepared to discuss their desired hourly rates openly.
More salary data for Tampa, 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 Tampa. 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