Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Detroit, MI: $65.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Detroit, MI runs $65.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,943 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Detroit's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,166 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Detroit, MI, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $65.84 in 2026, which closely aligns with the national median of $66.03. This competitive pay scale is particularly relevant for those in various work settings, such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and even specialty referral hospitals. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, this hourly rate provides a solid income trajectory, rendering relief or per-diem roles viable options. The hourly earnings can vary widely, with entry-level positions starting at $37.78 and top earners seeing figures reach up to $102.77. These official Bureau of Labor Statistics figures highlight the diverse opportunities available within the veterinary field in Detroit.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.78 | $302.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.31 | $410.50 |
| Median (P50) | $65.84 | $526.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.55 | $668.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.77 | $822.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Detroit
Based on $65.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.84/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Detroit, MI can expect to earn approximately $136,943 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,005. With a cost-of-living index of 100.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Detroit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Detroit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,633.51 | $11,412 | $136,943 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,580.11 | $6,847 | $82,166 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,053.40 | $4,565 | $54,777 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Detroit) | $65.84 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Detroit, MI earn a median of $136,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.28% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.10% above the Michigan state average of $131,549.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.84/hr = $82,166/year (purchasing power: $81,921).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,943/year (purchasing power: $136,536).
CoL index: 100.298 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Detroit grew 52.8% from $40.81/hr (2019) to $62.37/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.50/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 Detroit 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 Detroit
Part-time veterinarians working a 24-hour workweek may see substantial annual returns, although they will likely earn less than full-time counterparts. Conversely, per-diem veterinarians often capitalize on higher billing rates, ranging from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices and jumping to $150 to $250 per hour for specialty work. Detroit’s veterinary landscape reveals disparities across employer types; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl account for about 25% of the market, typically offering steadier but lower hourly wages compared to independent practices. While some veterinarians may trade off higher pay from locum or relief work for health benefits at corporate-owned clinics, negotiation remains key. Professionals in this sector should grasp local trends and the value of perks when discussing compensation, making informed decisions aligned with their career goals and personal circumstances in Detroit.
More salary data for Detroit, MI:
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 Detroit. 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