Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $67.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Rockford, IL runs $67.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,099 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,063 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians working in Rockford, Illinois, can expect a median hourly rate of $67.36, placing them slightly above the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This compensation level reflects the various settings in which veterinarians operate, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For part-time veterinarians, typically working three days a week, the per-hour pay can provide a stable income while allowing for flexibility in their schedules. The hourly range for veterinarians in Rockford varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $31.92 and top earners reaching up to $192.01 per hour. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.92 | $255.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.70 | $357.64 |
| Median (P50) | $67.36 | $538.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.17 | $777.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192.01 | $1536.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $67.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.36/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $140,104 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,829. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,694.31 | $11,675 | $140,104 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,616.59 | $7,005 | $84,063 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,077.73 | $4,670 | $56,042 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Rockford) | $67.36 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Rockford, IL earn a median of $140,099 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.01% higher than the national median of $137,334.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.36/hr = $84,063/year (purchasing power: $91,220).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,104/year (purchasing power: $152,033).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Rockford grew 13.4% from $56.25/hr (2019) to $63.81/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.10/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Looking beyond the median rate, part-time veterinarians can see a significant discrepancy in earnings when compared to their full-time peers. Working 24 hours a week, a veterinarian may earn slightly less than those who practice full-time, yet their annual income remains competitive given the flexible scheduling options. Per diem and relief veterinarians can command higher rates, often billing between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices, while specialized relief work could earn between $150 to $250 per hour. In Rockford, hourly rates fluctuate based on the type of employer, with corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl offering different pay scales compared to independent practices. While some veterinarians choose to accept lower hourly wages for benefits such as health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating their pay, understanding local market trends and comparing rates among employer types is vital in achieving favorable compensation.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. 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