Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $62.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Bay City, MI runs $62.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,599 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,358 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bay City, Michigan, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $62.79 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This distinction means that veterinarians working part-time, such as those employed three days a week, will find a significant yet manageable income, suitable for various veterinary settings including general practices and specialty hospitals. The hourly rate spans a robust range, from $36.85 for entry-level veterinarians to $97.33 for those in top earning brackets. This wide spectrum reflects the diverse roles within the field, such as those in surgical suites, equine ambulatory visits, or university teaching hospitals, and highlights the potential for competitive per-diem work, where veterinarians might take on additional shifts for increased pay.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($116,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.85 | $294.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.30 | $394.37 |
| Median (P50) | $62.79 | $502.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.25 | $626.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.33 | $778.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $62.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.79/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $130,597 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,345. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,511.48 | $10,883 | $130,597 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,506.89 | $6,530 | $78,358 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,004.59 | $4,353 | $52,239 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Bay City) | $62.79 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Bay City, MI earn a median of $130,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.90% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $131,519.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.79/hr = $78,358/year (purchasing power: $84,075).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,597/year (purchasing power: $140,126).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Bay City grew 36.3% from $43.64/hr (2019) to $59.48/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.28/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 Bay City 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 Bay City
Considering part-time employment, a veterinarian working 24 hours a week can anticipate a take-home income that translates to around $78,202 annually if maintaining a consistent hourly rate. Per diem opportunities offer another dimension, with relief veterinarians frequently billing anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour in general practices; those with specialty skills can command even more, particularly in emergency or intensive care settings. Employers in Bay City include independent practices and larger corporate chains, each offering distinct compensation structures. While larger entities might provide benefits that small independent clinics do not, this can greatly influence the compensation debate when discussing hourly pay. Effective negotiation is crucial, especially in a changing industry landscape; understanding your worth relative to the veterinarian hourly rate in MI can lead to better outcomes in compensation discussions.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Bay City. 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 Bay City 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