Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Lake in the Hills, IL: $65.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Lake in the Hills, IL runs $65.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,021 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Lake in the Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,218 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $65.88 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $66.03. This competitive pay reflects the various roles these professionals might fill, whether in general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty referral hospitals. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, this rate translates to substantial earnings, while per-diem positions offer even greater flexibility and potential income. The hourly range for veterinarians begins at approximately $38.21, suitable for entry-level positions, and can reach as high as $102.11 for those at the very top of the profession, indicating a robust market for both new graduates and experienced professionals in various settings, including equine practices and university teaching hospitals.
About the Lake in the Hills 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) | $38.21 | $305.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.50 | $404.00 |
| Median (P50) | $65.88 | $527.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.98 | $647.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.11 | $816.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake in the Hills
Based on $65.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.88/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake in the Hills, IL can expect to earn approximately $137,030 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,056. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake in the Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake in the Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,635.20 | $11,419 | $137,030 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,581.12 | $6,852 | $82,218 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,054.08 | $4,568 | $54,812 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Lake in the Hills) | $65.88 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $137,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $140,103.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.88/hr = $82,218/year (purchasing power: $84,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,030/year (purchasing power: $141,123).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lake in the Hills grew 36.3% from $45.79/hr (2019) to $62.41/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.54/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 Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills
Considering part-time earnings, a veterinarian working 24 hours a week in Lake in the Hills could expect to take home roughly $82,457 annually, an amount that varies significantly from a full-time's possible income. Per-diem veterinarians can see even higher compensation; those providing relief services might bill an hourly rate of $90-$140 for general practice, and specialty veterinarians in surgery or internal medicine can command $150-$250 per hour. Employment types further diversify earning potential: corporate veterinary practices, like those owned by VCA or BluePearl, often offer stability and benefits, while independent clinics might pay less but offer partnership opportunities. Negotiating hourly rates can leverage this variance, making it essential for veterinarians to understand their worth in the local market, especially with the ongoing corporate consolidation reshaping pay scales and opportunity tracks within the Illinois veterinary field.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Lake in the Hills in 2026?
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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 Lake in the Hills. 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 Lake in the Hills 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