Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Duluth, MN: $64.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Duluth, MN runs $64.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,692 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Duluth's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,216 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Veterinarians in Duluth, Minnesota, earn a median hourly rate of $64.28, slightly below the national median of $66.03. This hourly compensation structure supports a variety of work arrangements, benefiting both part-time professionals and those in per-diem roles. For instance, veterinarians working three days a week can earn a substantial income while balancing personal commitments. The hourly pay range in Duluth spans from $41.26 for entry-level positions to $100.28 for highly experienced and specialized practitioners. These figures, officially sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect the economic realities of various working environments like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty hospitals throughout the region.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.26 | $330.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.48 | $403.83 |
| Median (P50) | $64.28 | $514.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.12 | $608.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.28 | $802.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Duluth
Based on $64.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.28/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Duluth, MN can expect to earn approximately $133,693 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,131. With a cost-of-living index of 88.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Duluth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Duluth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,571.02 | $11,141 | $133,693 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,542.61 | $6,685 | $80,216 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,028.41 | $4,456 | $53,477 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Duluth) | $64.28 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Duluth, MN earn a median of $133,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.60% below the Minnesota state average of $137,261.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.28/hr = $80,216/year (purchasing power: $90,366).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,693/year (purchasing power: $150,609).
CoL index: 88.768 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Duluth grew 53.4% from $39.70/hr (2019) to $60.89/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.85/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 Duluth 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 Duluth
Examining the earning potential further reveals the dynamics affecting veterinarian hourly pay in Duluth, particularly for those opting for part-time or per-diem positions. A veterinarian working 24 hours a week could see significant annual earnings, while those in per-diem roles may command higher rates, often between $90 and $140 per hour for routine work, and exceeding $150 for specialty relief at emergency clinics. Salary expectations vary widely depending on the practice type, with corporate clinics generally offering less than independent, mixed, or specialty practices. Additionally, the trade-offs between immediate compensation and benefits become apparent; some vets might accept lower hourly wages to secure health insurance and job stability. Understanding these nuances and effectively negotiating hourly rates can significantly impact financial outcomes for veterinary professionals in Duluth, especially as the industry continues to evolve amid corporate consolidation trends.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Duluth in 2026?
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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 Duluth. 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