Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Honolulu, HI: $83.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Honolulu, HI runs $83.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $174,336 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $104,601 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Honolulu, Hawaii, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $83.81 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This higher compensation reflects not only the cost of living in this vibrant city but also the demand for skilled veterinary professionals across various settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. Part-time veterinarians working three days a week can expect to earn a lucrative income, benefitting from the robust hourly rates that range from $48.61 (entry-level) to $129.91 (top earners). Moreover, per-diem and agency veterinarians typically earn competitive rates, allowing for flexibility in their work schedules while capitalizing on the estimated hourly compensation derived from annual figures.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.61 | $388.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.26 | $498.07 |
| Median (P50) | $83.81 | $670.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107.28 | $858.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129.91 | $1039.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Honolulu
Based on $83.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.81/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $174,334 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $100,578. With a cost-of-living index of 119.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,352.59 | $14,528 | $174,334 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,011.55 | $8,717 | $104,601 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,341.03 | $5,811 | $69,734 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Honolulu) | $83.81 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $174,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $163,849.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.81/hr = $104,601/year (purchasing power: $87,679).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $174,334/year (purchasing power: $146,131).
CoL index: 119.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $80.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Honolulu grew 36.3% from $58.26/hr (2019) to $79.40/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $88.47/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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu
Focusing on the financial implications within the veterinary field, a part-time veterinarian working a 3-day week (24 hours) can still take home a respectable income, although considerably less than full-time counterparts. Per diem roles are increasingly prevalent, with relief or locum veterinarians in Honolulu often billing anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour in general practices. Specialty relief positions, particularly in surgery and emergency care, can command significantly higher rates, reaching between $150 and $250 per hour. Preferences for varying employer types affect pay; larger corporate practices such as VCA or BluePearl may have set pay scales that differ from the flexibility independent practices offer. Navigating between higher hourly rates and the stability that comes with traditional employment sometimes leads veterinarians to accept lower pay for benefits like health insurance. Those negotiating their hourly pay should consider employing data-driven discussions against local market rates and highlighting their unique qualifications to secure a more favorable rate in Honolulu.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
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 Honolulu. 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 Honolulu 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