Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Houma, LA: $61.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Houma, LA runs $61.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,128 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Houma's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,277 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Houma, Louisiana, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at a median of $61.12, which is notably lower than the national average of $66.03. For those considering part-time work, such as a 3-day week, this translates to around $1,157 weekly, making it possible to earn a comfortable living while balancing other commitments. Per-diem veterinarians, frequently found in various settings like surgical suites, specialty hospitals, and equine services, can expect to work within an hourly range from $38.04 for entry-level positions to $94.74 for top earners. The Houma market allows for flexibility, accommodating various professional environments like independent practices, corporate chains, and specialty clinics, where hourly wages are derived from annual salary estimations based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Houma Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.04 | $304.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.77 | $398.17 |
| Median (P50) | $61.12 | $488.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.61 | $604.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.74 | $757.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houma
Based on $61.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.12/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houma, LA can expect to earn approximately $127,128 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,343. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,444.77 | $10,594 | $127,128 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,466.86 | $6,356 | $76,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $977.91 | $4,238 | $50,851 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Houma) | $61.12 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Houma, LA earn a median of $127,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.43% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% below the Louisiana state average of $131,331.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.12/hr = $76,277/year (purchasing power: $84,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,128/year (purchasing power: $140,784).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$67.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-5.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Houma grew -14.7% from $67.88/hr (2019) to $57.90/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.52/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 Houma 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 Houma
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time veterinarians, those working three days a week can expect annual take-home pay around $57,638 if they maintain that schedule consistently. In contrast, per-diem and agency veterinarians often command significantly higher rates. For instance, general practice relief veterinarians commonly bill hourly at $90 to $140, whereas those in specialty fields can reach rates of $150 to $250 per hour. In Houma, variations in hourly rates across different employers are evident; corporate chains may offer more stable pay but often lack the benefits that independent practices might provide. This trade-off requires careful consideration for veterinarians weighing employment options. Negotiation strategies for hourly workers should focus on understanding prevailing rates, emphasizing skills and experience, and being open to flexible work arrangements that can enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
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 Houma. 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 Houma 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