Veterinarian Salary

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.

$133,692
Median Annual Salary
$64.28/hr
Hourly Rate
$85,831
Entry Level (P10)
$208,587
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Veterinarian Hourly Rate in Duluth, MN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Duluth, MN veterinarian hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a veterinarian in Duluth earning $64.28/hr would make approximately $77,131 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $133,693 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$77,131Reduced (32 hr/wk)$102,841Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$133,693

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$514.20
per 8hr shift
$2,571.02
per week
$11,141
per month
$133,693
per year

Schedule Comparison in Duluth

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinarian median salary in Duluth ($133,692) with Minnesota average ($137,261) and the US national median ($137,334).Duluth$133,692Minnesota Avg$137,261-2.60%US National$137,334-2.65%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for veterinarians in Duluth. Baseline $39.70/hr in 2025, projected to $67.85/hr by 2027.$34$44$54$64$732019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$39.70$43.58$46.14$45.83$47.92$48.41$60.89$64.28$67.85
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$39.70/hrActual
2020$43.58/hrActual
2021$46.14/hrActual
2022$45.83/hrActual
2023$47.92/hrActual
2024$48.41/hrActual
2025$60.89/hrActual
2026(current)$64.28/hrEstimated
2027$67.85/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Duluth in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for veterinarians in Duluth is $64.28/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Rates range from $41.26 at entry level (10th percentile) to $100.28 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 2.7% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time veterinarians make in Duluth?

A part-time veterinarian working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Duluth earns approximately $6,685/month, or $80,216/year at the median hourly rate of $64.28. Many veterinarians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are veterinarians in Duluth paid hourly or salary?

The majority of veterinarians in Duluth are paid hourly at a median rate of $64.28/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $133,693/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Duluth?

A full-time veterinarian working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Duluth earns approximately $133,693/year at the median hourly rate of $64.28. This is 2.7% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $208,587/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Duluth?

Part-time and per diem veterinarians in Duluth sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $100.28/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

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

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