Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Jackson, MS: $52.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Jackson, MS runs $52.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,194 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.0, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,120 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Jackson, MS, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $52.98 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $66.03. This rate has practical implications for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. A veterinarian operating on a typical three-day workweek can earn a stable income while enjoying a more flexible schedule, especially within environments like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or university teaching hospitals. The hourly rate for veterinarians in Jackson varies significantly, with entry-level professionals earning around $37.38, while the most experienced in the field can command up to $82.64 per hour, reflecting the diverse settings in which they work—from independent clinics to corporate practices and specialty facilities.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.38 | $299.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.57 | $324.53 |
| Median (P50) | $52.98 | $423.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.60 | $500.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.64 | $661.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $52.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.98/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, MS can expect to earn approximately $110,200 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,577. With a cost-of-living index of 89.05 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,119.22 | $9,183 | $110,200 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,271.53 | $5,510 | $66,120 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $847.69 | $3,673 | $44,080 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Jackson) | $52.98 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Jackson, MS earn a median of $110,194 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.76% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.40% below the Mississippi state average of $117,729.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.98/hr = $66,120/year (purchasing power: $74,252).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,200/year (purchasing power: $123,753).
CoL index: 89.048 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Jackson grew 34.0% from $37.46/hr (2019) to $50.19/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.93/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
Evaluating earning potential, a veterinarian in Jackson working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $66,849 annually, considerably lower than a full-time counterpart working 40 hours weekly. Relief veterinarians, commonly hired on a per-diem basis, can charge significantly higher rates, ranging from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices, while specialists may earn anywhere from $150 to $250 per hour. The type of practice also variations in hourly pay; corporate chains may offer more stability but with a trade-off in pay compared to independent practices. Negotiating hourly rates can be crucial in Jackson, where veterinarians should emphasize the value of their experience, particularly when considering the balance between higher rates without benefits versus more stable offers that include health insurance and other perks, often appealing to early-career veterinarians navigating the complexities of practice management.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
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 Jackson. 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