Veterinarian Hourly Pay in St. Charles, IL: $66.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in St. Charles, IL runs $66.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,098 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,864 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Illinois, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $66.40 in 2026, which slightly surpasses the national hourly median of $66.03. This competitive hourly rate allows veterinarians, particularly those working part-time—typically around three days a week—to earn a reasonable income while balancing professional and personal commitments. For veterinarians in various practice settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, specialty referral hospitals, and even equine ambulatory visits, hourly rates can vary significantly. The lower end of the wage spectrum is about $38.51, while top earners can make as much as $102.91 per hour, showcasing a wide range of earnings based on experience and specialty.
About the St. Charles 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) | $38.51 | $308.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.54 | $412.36 |
| Median (P50) | $66.40 | $531.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.28 | $658.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.91 | $823.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $66.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.40/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, IL 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 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| 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 (St. Charles) | $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 St. Charles, IL earn a median of $138,098 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.56% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $140,059.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.40/hr = $82,864/year (purchasing power: $85,339).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,106/year (purchasing power: $142,231).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.14/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 St. Charles grew 36.3% from $46.15/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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles
Part-time veterinarians working in St. Charles can expect to make around $85,000 annually if they opt for a three-day workweek, presenting a substantial earning possibility compared to a typical full-time salary. In contrast, relief or locum veterinarians often bill higher rates, sometimes between $90-$140 per hour in general practices and significantly more—up to $250 per hour—for specialty roles. The hourly pay can vary not only by employer type, whether it’s an independent clinic, corporate chain, or a university hospital, but also regarding employee benefits. Some veterinarians may choose positions with lower hourly pay for benefits such as health insurance, while others might prefer the freedom that comes with higher hourly rates but fewer perks. Understanding the nuances of veterinarian pay structures in St. Charles is essential, as negotiation strategies can differ markedly across various types of employment within the field.
More salary data for St. Charles, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in St. Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in St. Charles?
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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 St. Charles. 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 St. Charles 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