Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Minneapolis, MN: $80.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Minneapolis, MN runs $80.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,996 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Minneapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.8, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $76.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,201 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Minneapolis, the average veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach $80.29 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $66.03. This premium rate reflects the city's cost of living and demand for veterinary services. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, this translates to substantial earnings, especially those operating in diverse environments such as general practice clinics, surgical suites, or equine ambulatory settings. Entry-level veterinarians can expect to earn around $43.93 per hour, while seasoned professionals in specialty roles may reach up to $111.06 per hour. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and projected to the coming year, illustrates a lucrative opportunity in the veterinary field for those in Minneapolis.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.93 | $351.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.88 | $495.03 |
| Median (P50) | $80.29 | $642.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.51 | $684.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.06 | $888.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Minneapolis
Based on $80.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.29/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Minneapolis, MN can expect to earn approximately $167,001 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,347. With a cost-of-living index of 104.82 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Minneapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Minneapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,211.56 | $13,917 | $167,001 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,926.93 | $8,350 | $100,201 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,284.62 | $5,567 | $66,800 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Minneapolis) | $80.29 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $166,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.60% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 21.70% above the Minnesota state average of $137,219.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.29/hr = $100,201/year (purchasing power: $95,591).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $167,001/year (purchasing power: $159,319).
CoL index: 104.822 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+84.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Minneapolis grew 65.7% from $45.89/hr (2019) to $76.06/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.75/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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Veterinarians opting for part-time work in Minneapolis can translate a 24-hour workweek into significant annual earnings, likely around $100,000, depending on their case load and practice type. Freelance or per-diem veterinarians often command higher hourly rates, with standard billing rates ranging from $90 to $140 at general practices. Those with specialized skills in surgery or emergency care may enjoy even higher earnings, from $150 to $250 per hour, particularly when covering shifts in understaffed locations. In Minneapolis, disparities in hourly compensation exist between corporate chains, independent practices, and specialty referral hospitals, with corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl offering structured pay scales but potentially lower pay compared to independent settings that provide additional benefits. For those negotiating their rates, understanding the competitive landscape—whether negotiating for higher pay without benefits or slightly lower rates that include health insurance—can significantly impact career satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
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 Minneapolis. 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