Veterinarian Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $61.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in St. Cloud, MN runs $61.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,150 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,896 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $61.62 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This hourly pay rate is significant for those considering part-time opportunities, as a veterinarian working three days a week could still enjoy a comfortable income while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Per-diem veterinarians who work in varied settings, including general practices, specialty hospitals, and academic institutions, can see considerable earning potential. The pay range for veterinarians in St. Cloud varies widely, starting from $41.28 for entry-level positions to potentially reaching as high as $100.35 for top earners. This data, gathered from reliable Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sources, reflects the evolving landscape of veterinary care in St. Cloud.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.28 | $330.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.05 | $392.43 |
| Median (P50) | $61.62 | $492.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.49 | $603.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.35 | $802.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $61.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.62/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $128,160 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,938. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,464.61 | $10,680 | $128,160 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,478.77 | $6,408 | $76,896 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $985.85 | $4,272 | $51,264 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (St. Cloud) | $61.62 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $128,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.60% below the Minnesota state average of $137,205.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.62/hr = $76,896/year (purchasing power: $87,749).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,160/year (purchasing power: $146,248).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in St. Cloud grew 40.7% from $41.50/hr (2019) to $58.37/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.04/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Turning our attention to the earnings dynamics in St. Cloud, part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week could expect to take home nearly $75,000 annually, compared to full-time positions. Additionally, the booming market for per diem veterinarians is noteworthy; those filling in at practices typically charge between $90-$140 per hour, with specialty relief posts demanding even higher rates ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. The substantial variation in hourly rates across employer types is influenced by the growth of corporate chains and specialty practices that often pay more than independent clinics. While some veterinarians may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, others prioritize immediate financial returns in a marketplace characterized by consolidation and the production-based compensation model. For those looking to negotiate within St. Cloud, openly discussing work hours, responsibilities, and market rates can lead to favorable agreements, ultimately enhancing their earning potential in this competitive field.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in St. Cloud in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in St. Cloud?
Are veterinarians in St. Cloud paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in St. Cloud?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in St. Cloud?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 St. Cloud. 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