Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI: $66.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Urban Honolulu, HI runs $66.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,104 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Urban Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.0, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,864 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Urban Honolulu, the projected median hourly pay for veterinarians is $66.40, slightly above the national hourly median of $66.03. This rate provides a stable income for those working part-time, such as a veterinarian operating three days a week, typically totaling about 24 hours. Relief or per-diem veterinarians play a significant role in this setting, offering insights into various practices including general examinations and surgeries, often across different work environments like surgical suites, specialty hospitals, and university clinics. Hourly earnings vary significantly, ranging from $41.30 at the entry-level to an impressive $97.39 for top earners. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect current market dynamics in Urban Honolulu.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.30 | $330.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.18 | $521.47 |
| Median (P50) | $66.40 | $531.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.00 | $544.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.39 | $779.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urban Honolulu
Based on $66.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.40/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urban Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $138,106 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,677. With a cost-of-living index of 110.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Urban Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,655.89 | $11,509 | $138,106 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,593.53 | $6,905 | $82,864 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,062.36 | $4,604 | $55,243 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Urban Honolulu) | $66.40 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $138,104 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.56% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 15.70% below the Hawaii state average of $163,825.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.40/hr = $82,864/year (purchasing power: $74,678).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,106/year (purchasing power: $124,464).
CoL index: 110.961 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Urban Honolulu grew 22.5% from $51.35/hr (2019) to $62.90/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.09/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 Urban 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 Urban Honolulu
Considering the part-time earning potential, a veterinarian working 24 hours a week can bring home a respectable income annually, which may fall short of full-time counterparts but offers flexibility. Per-diem veterinarians often command higher billing rates, averaging $90-$140 for general practices and even reaching up to $250 per hour for specialty relief positions. Additionally, rates vary widely across employer types in Urban Honolulu, from corporate chains that dominate the market to independent practices and specialty hospitals, with some veterinarians opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the specific pay structures within corporate consolidation trends and knowing how to showcase specialized skills can be key strategies for optimizing their compensation in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Urban Honolulu in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Urban Honolulu?
Are veterinarians in Urban Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Urban Honolulu?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Urban Honolulu?
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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 Urban 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
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