Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Slidell, LA: $65.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Slidell, LA runs $65.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,645 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Slidell's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,388 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Slidell, Louisiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $65.21, which is slightly below the national median of $66.03. This rate reflects the compensation for full-time positions but also holds implications for part-time and per-diem veterinarians. For those working three days a week, a typical schedule results in approximately 24 hours of work, allowing for a significant income even without full-time hours. Entry-level veterinarians can start earning around $34.43 per hour, while those reaching the upper echelons can earn as much as $82.90 per hour. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating key trends in veterinarian hourly pay in Slidell.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.43 | $275.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.96 | $367.69 |
| Median (P50) | $65.21 | $521.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.35 | $626.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.90 | $663.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Slidell
Based on $65.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.21/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Slidell, LA can expect to earn approximately $135,647 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,258. With a cost-of-living index of 92.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Slidell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Slidell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,608.60 | $11,304 | $135,647 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,565.16 | $6,782 | $81,388 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,043.44 | $4,522 | $54,259 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Slidell) | $65.21 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Slidell, LA earn a median of $135,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.23% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% above the Louisiana state average of $131,439.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.21/hr = $81,388/year (purchasing power: $87,773).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,647/year (purchasing power: $146,288).
CoL index: 92.726 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Slidell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Slidell grew 36.3% from $45.33/hr (2019) to $61.78/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.84/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 Slidell 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 Slidell
Exploring the financial reality for part-time veterinarians reveals that those working a 24-hour week could take home around $83,811 annually, using the 2026 hourly median. Meanwhile, per diem veterinarians often experience a wide range of compensation, as they can command rates between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, with specialty relief roles yielding $150 to $250. The employer type significantly influences hourly rates in Slidell; corporate practices such as VCA and BluePearl may offer stability but often provide lower hourly rates compared to independent clinics or specialty hospitals that may pay more. While some veterinarians might choose lower hourly wages for health benefits, others may seek higher-paying opportunities without benefits, leading to difficult negotiations. For those considering opportunities in Slidell, an awareness of local market trends and a focus on the production-based compensation model can offer strategic advantages in contract discussions.
More salary data for Slidell, 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 Slidell. 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, 2-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