Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $58.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Lake Charles, LA runs $58.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,616 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,970 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary professionals in Lake Charles, Louisiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $58.47, a figure that reflects their compensation in a landscape where they earn less compared to the national median of $66.03. This hourly rate provides a clear picture for part-time veterinarians working three days a week, as well as per diem workers who operate in various settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty hospitals. The hourly compensation in Lake Charles varies significantly, with entry-level veterinarians making around $36.96, while experienced practitioners can earn up to $77.99. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrates how opportunities differ across practices, including both small animal clinics and larger veterinary facilities.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.96 | $295.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.78 | $302.24 |
| Median (P50) | $58.47 | $467.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.68 | $581.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.99 | $623.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $58.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.47/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $121,617 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,164. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,338.79 | $10,135 | $121,617 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,403.27 | $6,081 | $72,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $935.51 | $4,054 | $48,647 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Lake Charles) | $58.47 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $121,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.40% below the Louisiana state average of $131,334.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.47/hr = $72,970/year (purchasing power: $84,995).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,617/year (purchasing power: $141,659).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lake Charles grew 28.4% from $43.15/hr (2019) to $55.39/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.72/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 Lake 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 Lake Charles
When assessing part-time income potential, a veterinarian in Lake Charles working 24 hours per week will take home significantly less annually compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem veterinarians often command rates ranging from $90 to $140 per hour in general practice, while specialists in surgery or emergency medicine can bill even higher, at $150-$250 per hour. Within Lake Charles, compensation varies notably; veterinarians can experience differences in pay depending on the type of practice they join or take over. Corporate practices may offer structured pay but often come with lower hourly rates, whereas independent practices might pay less but could provide benefits like health insurance. Those negotiating hourly rates should consider the trade-offs of compensation versus benefits and be prepared for discussions that reflect both the market demand and their specific skill set.
More salary data for Lake Charles, 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 Lake 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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