Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $62.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Athens, GA runs $62.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,177 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,108 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Athens, GA, earn a median hourly rate of $62.59, which is slightly lower than the national median of $66.03. This rate reflects the diverse work environments where veterinarians operate, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, this hourly rate can provide a comfortable income, particularly in a field where demand is growing. The hourly pay ranges from $31.28 for entry-level positions to as high as $106.04 for top earners. Those entering the profession can anticipate steady earnings, while experienced specialists can command significantly higher rates, especially in urban settings like Athens. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data and adjusted for future projections, highlights a stable earning potential within this essential healthcare profession.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.28 | $250.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.53 | $404.25 |
| Median (P50) | $62.59 | $500.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.82 | $558.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.04 | $848.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $62.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.59/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $130,180 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,104. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,503.46 | $10,848 | $130,180 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,502.08 | $6,509 | $78,108 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,001.38 | $4,339 | $52,072 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Athens) | $62.59 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Athens, GA earn a median of $130,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.20% above the Georgia state average of $128,633.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.59/hr = $78,108/year (purchasing power: $83,678).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,180/year (purchasing power: $139,464).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+125.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Athens grew 102.1% from $29.33/hr (2019) to $59.29/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.07/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 Athens 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 Athens
Focusing on a typical three-day workweek, a veterinarian in Athens working 24 hours could expect a significant annual income compared to full-time colleagues, integrating the factors like health benefits and work-life balance into their financial decisions. Per diem veterinarians often find themselves earning between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, with specialty relief veterinarians commanding $150 to $250 for services like surgery or emergency care, particularly on weekends. Hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer; for example, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer structured pay scales driven by comprehensive benefits, while independent practices may provide more competitive hourly earnings but fewer perks. It’s vital for veterinarians in Athens to consider their priorities during negotiations; accepting a lower hourly rate for comprehensive benefits might appeal to those valuing stability over higher hourly earnings without benefits. Understanding these dynamics is essential for making informed career choices in an evolving field shaped by corporate trends and specialty demands.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 Athens. 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