Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Elgin, IL: $74.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Elgin, IL runs $74.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $155,599 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Elgin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $77.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $93,363 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elgin, Illinois, the median veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $74.81 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This higher pay reflects the competitive demand for veterinary professionals in the area and enables those working part-time or on a per-diem basis to earn substantial income. For example, veterinarians who work three days a week could potentially earn around $111,000 annually, depending on their schedule and workload in various settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and other specialty areas. Entry-level veterinarians might see hourly rates as low as $43.52, while top earners—particularly in high-demand fields—could even approach $115.95 per hour.
About the Elgin Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.52 | $348.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.22 | $457.79 |
| Median (P50) | $74.81 | $598.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95.75 | $766.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115.95 | $927.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elgin
Based on $74.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $74.81/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elgin, IL can expect to earn approximately $155,606 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $89,772. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elgin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elgin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,992.41 | $12,967 | $155,606 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,795.45 | $7,780 | $93,363 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,196.97 | $5,187 | $62,242 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Elgin) | $74.81 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Elgin, IL earn a median of $155,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.30% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 11.10% above the Illinois state average of $140,053.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $74.81/hr = $93,363/year (purchasing power: $96,152).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $155,606/year (purchasing power: $160,253).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$74.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Elgin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Elgin grew 36.3% from $52.00/hr (2019) to $70.87/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.97/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 Elgin 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 Elgin
The earning potential for part-time veterinarians in Elgin can be quite lucrative when compared to full-time status, as they can still reap substantial rewards for fewer hours worked. While a relief or locum veterinarian might charge between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, specialty roles can demand even higher rates, often ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. Variation in hourly pay also depends on the type of employer; corporate chains, independent practices, and specialty hospitals each operate under different compensation structures. For many, the benefits package that comes with lower hourly pay at corporate practices can be an attractive trade-off. Negotiating hourly wages in Elgin may require understanding market dynamics and recognizing how corporate consolidation trends affect compensation structures across the veterinary field.
More salary data for Elgin, 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 Elgin. 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 Elgin 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