Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Bellevue, NE: $58.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Bellevue, NE runs $58.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,682 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,010 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bellevue, Nebraska, the projected median hourly pay for veterinarians in 2026 is $58.50, notably lower than the national median of $66.03. This disparity reflects the local cost of living and job market for veterinary professionals. For veterinarians working part-time—say, three days a week—their hourly earnings can be quite appealing. With a typical workweek of about 24 hours, part-timers can still enjoy substantial earnings and flexibility. The hourly range is quite diverse as well, spanning from approximately $33.93 at the lower end to about $90.68 for top-tier earners. Such a structure accommodates various practice environments including general practice settings, surgical suites, and even specialty referral hospitals, providing a variety of career paths for veterinarians in Bellevue.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.93 | $271.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.56 | $364.48 |
| Median (P50) | $58.50 | $468.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.88 | $599.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.68 | $725.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $58.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.50/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, NE can expect to earn approximately $121,683 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,202. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,340.05 | $10,140 | $121,683 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,404.03 | $6,084 | $73,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $936.02 | $4,056 | $48,673 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Bellevue) | $58.50 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Bellevue, NE earn a median of $121,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $125,705.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.50/hr = $73,010/year (purchasing power: $79,792).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,683/year (purchasing power: $132,987).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Bellevue grew 36.3% from $40.66/hr (2019) to $55.42/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.75/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
For veterinarians considering part-time work or relief positions, understanding the financial landscape is crucial. A part-time veterinarian working for 24 hours a week could realistically bring in about $72,120 annually, whereas full-time practitioners may earn more substantial figures over time. Per diem veterinarian pay in Bellevue can vary widely. Many relief veterinarians charge between $90 and $140 per hour for routine cases, while specialty services in surgery and emergency care can command rates as high as $250 per hour. Different types of employers also play a role in the hourly pay rates; corporate clinics versus independent practices often reflect contrasting pay scales. Some veterinarians may opt for slightly lower hourly rates at corporate entities in exchange for better benefits, such as health insurance, which can be a vital consideration. Negotiating hourly rates in Bellevue could involve emphasizing one’s specialized skills, considerations around staffing shortages, or existing market conditions that reflect the growing demand for veterinary services.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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