Veterinarian Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $64.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in South Bend, IN runs $64.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,747 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,848 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in South Bend, Indiana, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $64.78, which is slightly below the national median of $66.03 for the profession. This rate reflects the earnings potential for veterinarians in various roles and work environments, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, specialty referral hospitals, and even equine ambulatory settings. For those considering part-time positions or per-diem work, earning about $64.78/hour equates to a substantial income, particularly if working three days a week where they may have a sustainable work-life balance. The hourly range in this city spans from approximately $41.30 for entry-level veterinarians to around $86.36 for top earners, making it a viable option for both newly graduated DVMs and seasoned professionals alike.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.30 | $330.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.20 | $417.60 |
| Median (P50) | $64.78 | $518.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.45 | $651.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.36 | $690.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $64.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.78/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $134,747 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,739. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,591.29 | $11,229 | $134,747 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,554.77 | $6,737 | $80,848 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.51 | $4,492 | $53,899 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (South Bend) | $64.78 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in South Bend, IN earn a median of $134,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.90% above the Indiana state average of $132,235.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.78/hr = $80,848/year (purchasing power: $87,066).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,747/year (purchasing power: $145,111).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in South Bend grew 49.0% from $41.20/hr (2019) to $61.37/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.38/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
The earning potential for part-time veterinarians in South Bend illustrates that a typical three-day workweek could yield a notable annual income, though it may still be lower than full-time income after benefits are considered. For relief or locum positions, the situation diverges significantly; many veterinarians report billing at rates between $90-$140/hour for general practices, and even higher for specialty roles, where hourly rates can reach $150-$250. Various factors influence these figures, such as the type of practice—corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl or independent clinics—and whether the work is with small or large animals. While corporate settings may offer healthcare benefits that could reduce hourly rates, others opt for higher pay without benefits, which can complicate wages negotiations. Understanding market dynamics and employer expectations in South Bend is essential for veterinarians looking to maximize their hourly compensation and career satisfaction.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
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 South Bend. 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