Veterinarian Salary

Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Macon, GA: $61.01 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Macon, GA runs $61.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,902 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Macon's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,145 per year.

$126,902
Median Annual Salary
$61.01/hr
Hourly Rate
$73,603
Entry Level (P10)
$196,698
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarian Hourly Rate in Macon, GA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Macon, GA veterinarian hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the veterinarian hourly pay in Macon, Georgia is projected to be $61.01, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This hourly wage offers insight into the financial realities for both full-time and part-time veterinarians working across various settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospital wards. For those choosing part-time roles at around three days per week, the salary structure provides competitive opportunities; however, the hourly range can vary significantly from $35.38 at entry-level positions to as high as $94.57 for top earners. It’s important to recognize that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, thus allowing for critical insights into earnings based on hours worked.

About the Macon Market

Salary estimated from Georgia average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$35.38$283.07
Lower Range (P25)$46.93$375.46
Median (P50)$61.01$488.11
Upper Range (P75)$78.09$624.75
Top Earners (P90)$94.57$756.57

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Macon

Based on $61.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a veterinarian in Macon earning $61.01/hr would make approximately $73,216 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $126,908 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$73,216Reduced (32 hr/wk)$97,622Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$126,908

At $61.01/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Macon, GA can expect to earn approximately $126,908 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,216. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Macon.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$488.11
per 8hr shift
$2,440.55
per week
$10,576
per month
$126,908
per year

Schedule Comparison in Macon

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,440.55$10,576$126,908
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,464.33$6,345$76,145
Per Diem (16 hrs)$976.22$4,230$50,763

Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Veterinarian (Macon)$61.01
Veterinary Technician (National Avg)$19.39
Physician (National Avg)$113.07
Dentist (National Avg)$87.53
Optometrist (National Avg)$64.22
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinarian median salary in Macon ($126,902) with Georgia average ($128,704) and the US national median ($137,334).Macon$126,902Georgia Avg$128,704-1.40%US National$137,334-7.60%

Veterinarians in Macon, GA earn a median of $126,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.60% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.40% below the Georgia state average of $128,704.

Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $61.01/hr = $76,145/year (purchasing power: $81,788).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,908/year (purchasing power: $136,314).

CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$42.41/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$57.80/hr

2026 Current Est.

$61.01/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+51.9%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Macon (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for veterinarians in Macon. Baseline $42.41/hr in 2025, projected to $64.41/hr by 2027.$38$46$53$61$692019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$42.41$44.09$44.59$45.88$52.91$48.56$57.80$61.01$64.41
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$42.41/hrActual
2020$44.09/hrActual
2021$44.59/hrActual
2022$45.88/hrActual
2023$52.91/hrActual
2024$48.56/hrActual
2025$57.80/hrActual
2026(current)$61.01/hrEstimated
2027$64.41/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Macon grew 36.3% from $42.41/hr (2019) to $57.80/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Macon metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Macon

Veterinarians in Macon can explore a variety of employment structures, particularly in part-time roles, where a typical three-day work schedule at 24 hours results in a significantly different annual income compared to full-time positions. The flexibility of per diem veterinarian pay in Macon is especially lucrative, with relief and locum veterinarians often billing between $90 and $140 per hour, and specialty positions commanding rates that can exceed $200 per hour. When considering hourly earnings, the type of employer matters; corporate chains, which dominate approximately 25% of the market, may offer structured pay rates that could be lower but come with benefits like health insurance. Conversely, independent practices might provide higher rates, albeit often without additional perks. Understanding how to negotiate effectively within this framework can greatly impact one's compensation, particularly when balancing the trade-offs between hourly rates and employee benefits, which is especially relevant in a shifting landscape marked by corporate consolidation among veterinary practices across the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Macon in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for veterinarians in Macon is $61.01/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Rates range from $35.38 at entry level (10th percentile) to $94.57 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 7.6% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time veterinarians make in Macon?

A part-time veterinarian working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Macon earns approximately $6,345/month, or $76,145/year at the median hourly rate of $61.01. Many veterinarians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are veterinarians in Macon paid hourly or salary?

The majority of veterinarians in Macon are paid hourly at a median rate of $61.01/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $126,908/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Macon?

A full-time veterinarian working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Macon earns approximately $126,908/year at the median hourly rate of $61.01. This is 7.6% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $196,708/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Macon?

Part-time and per diem veterinarians in Macon sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $94.57/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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AN

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

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 Macon. 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 Macon is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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