Veterinarian Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $65.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in New Orleans, LA runs $65.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,497 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,296 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In New Orleans, Louisiana, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at a median of $65.14, slightly below the national hourly median of $66.03. This hourly wage can significantly impact part-time veterinarians, particularly those working three days a week. For instance, a veterinarian operating in various environments, from general practice exam rooms to specialty referral wards, will find that the median rate allows for a reasonable standard of living, despite the lower cost of living index in New Orleans, which registers at 92.597. The hourly range for veterinarians in the area spans from $36.14 for entry-level positions to $85.80 for some of the highest earners, reflecting opportunities across diverse specialties within the profession. This data is drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, showcasing the potential for veterinarians to find various avenues for employment and income in New Orleans.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.14 | $289.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.30 | $370.39 |
| Median (P50) | $65.14 | $521.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.95 | $631.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.80 | $686.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $65.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.14/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $135,493 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,169. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,605.64 | $11,291 | $135,493 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,563.39 | $6,775 | $81,296 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,042.26 | $4,516 | $54,197 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (New Orleans) | $65.14 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $135,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.10% above the Louisiana state average of $131,423.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.14/hr = $81,296/year (purchasing power: $87,796).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,493/year (purchasing power: $146,326).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+80.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in New Orleans grew 62.1% from $38.07/hr (2019) to $61.71/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.76/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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans
Part-time veterinarians working 24 hours per week can expect to take home around $81,600 annually, compared to a full-time veterinarian’s earnings, which soar higher with increased hours. Relief or locum veterinarians play a crucial role in filling staffing gaps, often commanding per diem rates between $90-$140/hr within general practices, with specialty relief positions yielding even higher rates up to $250/hr for specific surgical or emergency cases. In New Orleans, the employer type also influences hourly pay; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which dominate about 25% of the market, tend to offer standardized pay scales compared to independent practices and specialty hospitals. As veterinarians assess their options, they often weigh the trade-offs of accepting lower hourly rates with benefits packages against higher pay without benefits. For those seeking negotiation tips, understanding local pay practices and being aware of the corporate consolidation trends can empower professionals to advocate effectively for their worth in this competitive market.
More salary data for New Orleans, 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 New Orleans. 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