Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Omaha, NE: $54.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Omaha, NE runs $54.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,245 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Omaha's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,951 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Omaha, Nebraska, can expect a median hourly pay of $54.45 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $66.03 per hour. This pay rate reflects the dynamics of part-time and per diem work in various environments, such as general practice exam rooms, university teaching hospitals, and equine ambulatory services. For instance, a veterinarian working part-time three days a week could potentially earn around $39,000 annually, while per diem veterinarians might operate within an hourly range of $36.20 to $88.33, depending on their experience and specialization. With entry-level veterinarians starting at $36.20 and experienced professionals earning up to $88.33, the hourly rates offer a spectrum of financial possibilities that can vary across clinical settings.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.20 | $289.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.74 | $397.92 |
| Median (P50) | $54.45 | $435.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.88 | $599.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.33 | $706.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Omaha
Based on $54.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.45/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Omaha, NE can expect to earn approximately $113,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,337. With a cost-of-living index of 91.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Omaha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Omaha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,177.91 | $9,438 | $113,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,306.75 | $5,663 | $67,951 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $871.17 | $3,775 | $45,301 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Omaha) | $54.45 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Omaha, NE earn a median of $113,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.54% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 9.90% below the Nebraska state average of $125,688.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.45/hr = $67,951/year (purchasing power: $73,931).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,252/year (purchasing power: $123,219).
CoL index: 91.911 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Omaha grew 15.4% from $44.68/hr (2019) to $51.58/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.48/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 Omaha 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 Omaha
Looking into part-time earnings, a veterinarian working 24 hours a week, typical for a three-day schedule, still operates within the reduced income expectations of Omaha compared to broader markets. On the per diem front, relief veterinarians can charge upwards of $90 to $140 per hour in general practices, with specialty relief positions reaching $150 to $250 per hour, particularly in surgery or emergency care. Rates fluctuate based on the type of practice; corporate chains often offer steadier but lower compensation, while independent practices or specialty hospitals might present higher pay potential but less job security and benefits. Moreover, veterinarians must weigh their desire for higher hourly rates against opportunities for health insurance and stability in corporate settings. Negotiating salary in the Omaha market can involve emphasizing skill sets aligned with high-demand areas, ensuring that part-time workers or agency veterinarians have a firm grasp on their market value.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Omaha. 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