Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Hattiesburg, MS: $53.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Hattiesburg, MS runs $53.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,447 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Hattiesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,265 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $53.10 in 2026, notably lower than the national median of $66.03. This difference indicates that veterinarians working part-time, such as those available three days a week, can anticipate earnings commensurate with their reduced hours while still benefiting from a decent hourly wage. For instance, a part-time veterinarian working 24 hours a week can earn around $65,170 annually. Entry-level veterinarians in Hattiesburg can expect to start at around $30.99 per hour, with top earners in the field making up to $78.88 per hour. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and reflect the diverse settings veterinarians operate within, from general practice exam rooms to specialty hospitals and USDA inspection sites.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.99 | $247.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.61 | $332.89 |
| Median (P50) | $53.10 | $424.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.72 | $533.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.88 | $631.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hattiesburg
Based on $53.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.10/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hattiesburg, MS can expect to earn approximately $110,441 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,716. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hattiesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hattiesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,123.87 | $9,203 | $110,441 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,274.32 | $5,522 | $66,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $849.55 | $3,681 | $44,176 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Hattiesburg) | $53.10 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $110,447 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.58% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.20% below the Mississippi state average of $117,748.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.10/hr = $66,265/year (purchasing power: $75,616).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,441/year (purchasing power: $126,027).
CoL index: 87.633 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Hattiesburg grew 27.6% from $39.41/hr (2019) to $50.30/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.05/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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
Veterinarians in Hattiesburg looking for part-time opportunities can find that their earnings create a substantial difference when compared to full-time roles. Specifically, a three-day work schedule may allow them to prioritize work-life balance without sacrificing financial stability. Per diem veterinarian pay in Hattiesburg can vary widely; for example, relief veterinarians often charge between $90-$140 per hour at general practices, with specialty relief roles commanding even higher rates ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. The hourly pay can differ significantly depending on the type of employer, with corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl taking a share of the market alongside independent clinics and specialty hospitals. Some veterinarians may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating pay can also be strategic; when considering an hourly contract, veterinarians in Hattiesburg should evaluate the overall compensation package against their professional goals and lifestyle needs.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Hattiesburg in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Hattiesburg?
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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 Hattiesburg. 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