Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $63.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $63.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,918 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,149 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
At a median hourly pay of $63.42, veterinarians in Fort Wayne, Indiana, earn slightly less than the national average of $66.03. This rate provides a substantial income opportunity, especially for part-time veterinarians working three days a week or for per-diem professionals contracted on an as-needed basis. In typical work settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty hospitals, hourly earnings can range from $40.16 at entry-level positions to as much as $84.55 for the most experienced practitioners. The broad range reflects various factors such as the practice type and location, and these figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, capturing the vibrant veterinary field in Fort Wayne.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.16 | $321.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.39 | $419.12 |
| Median (P50) | $63.42 | $507.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.15 | $545.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.55 | $676.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $63.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.42/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $131,915 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,105. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,536.82 | $10,993 | $131,915 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,522.09 | $6,596 | $79,149 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.73 | $4,397 | $52,766 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Fort Wayne) | $63.42 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $131,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.94% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.20% below the Indiana state average of $132,183.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.42/hr = $79,149/year (purchasing power: $85,500).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,915/year (purchasing power: $142,499).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Fort Wayne grew 34.3% from $44.74/hr (2019) to $60.08/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.95/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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
Beyond the headline figures, part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week might realistically take home just over $98,000 annually. In contrast, per-diem or locum veterinarians typically achieve higher rates, billing anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices, and specialty services can demand $150 to $250 per hour, particularly for emergencies. Rates can vary significantly among different employer types in Fort Wayne, with corporate chains often offering more stable but slightly lower pay compared to independent practices or specialty hospitals, where compensation might be higher. Additionally, some veterinarians may opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, creating a trade-off between immediate monetary gain and job security. Negotiation for hourly roles often hinges on leveraging unique skills or aiming for practice contexts that align with specialized needs, reflecting the dynamic nature of veterinary employment in Fort Wayne.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Fort Wayne in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Fort Wayne?
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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 Fort Wayne. 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