Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Tupelo, MS: $56.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Tupelo, MS runs $56.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Tupelo's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,927 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tupelo, Mississippi, veterinarians can expect a median hourly pay of $56.03, which falls below the national median of $66.03. This rate offers competitive compensation for those considering part-time or per-diem positions in various settings, such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and even equine ambulatory visits. The hourly wage range for veterinarians in Tupelo extends from $32.50 for entry-level positions to $86.85 for the highest earners. It’s important to recognize that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the veterinary field across the region.
About the Tupelo Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.50 | $260.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.99 | $367.94 |
| Median (P50) | $56.03 | $448.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.67 | $557.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.85 | $694.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tupelo
Based on $56.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.03/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tupelo, MS can expect to earn approximately $116,545 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,237. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tupelo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tupelo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,241.25 | $9,712 | $116,545 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,344.75 | $5,827 | $69,927 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $896.50 | $3,885 | $46,618 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Tupelo) | $56.03 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Tupelo, MS earn a median of $116,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the Mississippi state average of $117,730.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.03/hr = $69,927/year (purchasing power: $81,595).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,545/year (purchasing power: $135,992).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Tupelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Tupelo grew 36.3% from $38.95/hr (2019) to $53.08/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.15/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 Tupelo 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 Tupelo
Within the local market, part-time veterinarians working three days a week may secure stable income while enjoying greater flexibility, translating to approximately $43,816 annually based on a 24-hour workweek. On the other hand, per-diem veterinarians often command significantly higher rates, where relief veterinarians at general practices typically earn between $90 and $140 per hour, with specialty relief veterinarians, such as those in surgery or emergency medicine, looking at rates of $150 to $250 per hour. In Tupelo, the type of employer heavily influences pay scales; corporate practices may offer lower hourly rates compared to independent clinics but provide additional benefits such as health insurance, which can be appealing for some veterinarians. Understanding these dynamics can aid in effective salary negotiation, particularly for those entering corporate frameworks or aiming to balance flexibility with earning potential in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Tupelo, 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 Tupelo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tupelo is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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