Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $66.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Portland, ME runs $66.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,273 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,969 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, Maine, veterinarians earn a median hourly pay of $66.48, which is slightly above the national median of $66.03. This pay rate is reflective of the professional settings in which veterinarians commonly work, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals, offering flexibility that appeals to part-time and per-diem workers in the field. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, for example, the hourly rate translates to significant earnings that can supplement other income sources or provide a balanced lifestyle. The range of hourly pay spans from $51.48 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $99.81 for the highest earners (90th percentile), indicating varied compensation based on experience and practice type. Such figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the veterinary profession in 2026.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.48 | $411.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.34 | $498.75 |
| Median (P50) | $66.48 | $531.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.50 | $652.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.81 | $798.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $66.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.48/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $138,282 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,778. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,659.27 | $11,523 | $138,282 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,595.56 | $6,914 | $82,969 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.71 | $4,609 | $55,313 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Portland) | $66.48 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Portland, ME earn a median of $138,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.68% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.10% above the Maine state average of $136,769.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.48/hr = $82,969/year (purchasing power: $81,456).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,282/year (purchasing power: $135,759).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Portland grew 14.9% from $54.80/hr (2019) to $62.98/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.18/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 Portland 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 Portland
Veterinarians in Portland, who opt for part-time work, can still achieve a comfortable income, with earnings based on a 24-hour work week translating into substantial annual figures compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem veterinarians usually command rates between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, while specialty fields often see rates rising to $150-$250 per hour. Independent practices and corporate chains each have different pay structures influenced by market demands and organizational policies. For those considering relief work, weekend emergency shifts may offer rates reaching $150-$200, catering to clinics experiencing staffing shortages. Although higher hourly rates often come without benefits, many veterinarians trade off compensation for health insurance and consistent hours. In Portland's competitive market, effective negotiation strategies can empower practitioners to find balance, emphasizing their unique skills and industry experience while appreciating the nuances between corporate and independent practice environments.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 Portland. 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