Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $75.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Chicago, IL runs $75.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $156,999 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,206 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Chicago, Illinois, can expect a median hourly pay of $75.49, which significantly surpasses the national median of $66.03 per hour. This higher wage reflects the dynamic environment in which Chicago veterinarians operate, from bustling general practice exam rooms to specialized surgical suites and university teaching hospital clinics. For part-timers working three days a week, such a wage can provide a viable source of income, while per-diem veterinarians often flex their hours to meet healthcare demands in various practice settings, including USDA inspection sites or pharmaceutical offices. Hourly earnings in this field can vary widely, with entry-level positions starting at $40.99, while top earners can command up to $146.82 per hour, allowing for a diverse range of professional experiences based on specialization and location.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.99 | $327.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.13 | $465.06 |
| Median (P50) | $75.49 | $603.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99.69 | $797.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146.82 | $1174.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $75.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.49/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $157,011 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,583. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,019.44 | $13,084 | $157,011 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,811.66 | $7,851 | $94,206 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,207.78 | $5,234 | $62,804 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Chicago) | $75.49 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Chicago, IL earn a median of $156,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.32% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 12.10% above the Illinois state average of $140,053.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.49/hr = $94,206/year (purchasing power: $90,937).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,011/year (purchasing power: $151,562).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+69.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Chicago grew 52.2% from $46.97/hr (2019) to $71.51/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.68/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Examining the earning potential of part-time veterinarians reveals that those working in Chicago for three days a week may take home a substantial income annually, yet full-time veterinarians often outpace them substantially due to increased work hours. Per diem veterinarians in the area can expect rates between $90-$140 per hour for general practice work, while specialty roles—such as surgery or internal medicine—can achieve rates ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. The realities of hourly pay often depend on the type of employer, spanning small animal clinics, equine practices, mixed operations, specialty hospitals, or academic settings. Many veterinarians must weigh the trade-offs involved in hourly rates; opting for lower rates can come with comprehensive health benefits at corporately structured practices, while those seeking higher pay may find themselves without the safety net of benefits. Effective negotiation strategies can further optimize pay, emphasizing a veterinarian's unique skills and the corporate consolidation trend impacting compensation models within Chicago's veterinary landscape.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 Chicago. 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