Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Lansing, MI: $62.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Lansing, MI runs $62.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,322 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Lansing's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.0, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,594 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lansing, Michigan, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $62.17 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $66.03. This hourly figure is crucial for those considering part-time positions or per-diem roles, where professionals might work three days per week and find flexibility in their schedules. On a typical workday, a veterinarian in settings such as general practice exam rooms or surgical suites can expect to earn anywhere from $39.13 for entry-level positions to $86.84 for top earners. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, offers a comprehensive understanding of what veterinary practitioners can anticipate in a city where demand for animal care continues to rise.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.13 | $313.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.24 | $377.90 |
| Median (P50) | $62.17 | $497.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.24 | $625.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.84 | $694.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lansing
Based on $62.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.17/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lansing, MI can expect to earn approximately $129,324 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,610. With a cost-of-living index of 94.99 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lansing.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lansing
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,486.99 | $10,777 | $129,324 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,492.20 | $6,466 | $77,594 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $994.80 | $4,311 | $51,729 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Lansing) | $62.17 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Lansing, MI earn a median of $129,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.83% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% below the Michigan state average of $131,558.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.17/hr = $77,594/year (purchasing power: $81,686).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,324/year (purchasing power: $136,143).
CoL index: 94.991 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lansing grew 17.4% from $50.17/hr (2019) to $58.90/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.63/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 Lansing 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 Lansing
Moreover, many veterinarians in Lansing are exploring the benefits of part-time work versus full-time commitments. A veterinarian working three days a week (24 hours) can take home a substantial annual income, although it may not match the steady paycheck of full-time work. For those opting for per diem positions, the reality is quite lucrative, as relief veterinarians can bill between $90 and $140 an hour at general practices, with specialty relief roles commanding rates as high as $150 to $250 per hour. Hourly pay also varies significantly based on the employer type; corporate practices may offer steady hours and benefits, while independent clinics often balance lower hourly rates against greater autonomy. Understanding these dynamics is essential for effective negotiation. Veterinarians may weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates and the availability of health insurance when considering their options in various sectors such as small animal clinics, specialty hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies.
More salary data for Lansing, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Lansing in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Lansing?
Are veterinarians in Lansing paid hourly or salary?
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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 Lansing. 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