Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $64.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Louisville, KY runs $64.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,705 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,229 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $64.29 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $66.03. For those looking for flexible options, working part-time, such as three days a week, can yield significant income, especially in various environments like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or even specialty referral hospitals. Entry-level veterinarians may start around $37.28 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $99.64 per hour, depending on their specialization and employer. The diversity in veterinary services provided, including equine ambulatory visits and pharmaceutical industry roles, informs the range of pay, illustrating the potential for varying income based on selected practice types.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($104,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.28 | $298.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.46 | $379.68 |
| Median (P50) | $64.29 | $514.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.28 | $658.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.64 | $797.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $64.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.29/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $133,715 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,143. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,571.44 | $11,143 | $133,715 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,542.86 | $6,686 | $80,229 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,028.58 | $4,457 | $53,486 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Louisville) | $64.29 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Louisville, KY earn a median of $133,705 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $122,666.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.29/hr = $80,229/year (purchasing power: $89,842).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,715/year (purchasing power: $149,737).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Louisville grew 36.3% from $44.68/hr (2019) to $60.90/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.86/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
For veterinarians in Louisville, part-time roles can present unique earning potentials. A veterinarian working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, would still see a respectable income, albeit significantly less compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem veterinarians often enjoy higher hourly rates, with general practices offering $90 to $140 per hour while specialty fields can see rates soaring to $150 to $250 per hour. The hourly rates vary across Kentucky based on employer types—corporate veterinary chains generally provide structured pay scales, while independent practices may offer different benefits versus lower rates. Negotiating pay becomes crucial; factors like health insurance can either lower base hourly pay or provide peace of mind that might drive some veterinarians to accept less in favor of stability. Being well-versed in the compensation trends across the state can aid veterinarians in securing favorable agreements that align their financial needs with professional aspirations.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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