Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Kearny, NJ: $73.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Kearny, NJ runs $73.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $153,050 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Kearny's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,835 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearny, New Jersey, veterinarians can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $73.59, which is notably above the national median hourly rate of $66.03. For those pursuing part-time work, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, this hourly rate translates into meaningful earnings, particularly in spaces like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. The hourly pay scale in the area ranges from approximately $46.01 for entry-level positions to as high as $114.05 for top earners. This range reflects the variety of roles veterinarians hold, from equine ambulatory work to positions within university clinics and USDA inspection sites. The current estimates, derived from annual salary data and projected to 2026, underscore the important financial potential available within this profession.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($134,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.01 | $368.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.91 | $479.24 |
| Median (P50) | $73.59 | $588.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.05 | $728.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114.05 | $912.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearny
Based on $73.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $73.59/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearny, NJ can expect to earn approximately $153,059 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $88,303. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kearny.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearny
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,943.44 | $12,755 | $153,059 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,766.06 | $7,653 | $91,835 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,177.37 | $5,102 | $61,223 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Kearny) | $73.59 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $153,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.44% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $158,273.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $73.59/hr = $91,835/year (purchasing power: $79,718).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $153,059/year (purchasing power: $132,863).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$73.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Kearny grew 36.3% from $51.15/hr (2019) to $69.71/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.68/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 Kearny 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 Kearny
Considering part-time opportunities in Kearny, a veterinarian working three days a week for 24 hours could earn roughly $91,242 annually, contrasting with full-time veterinarians who might approach $153,050 in earnings. Per diem and locum tenens roles can provide lucrative opportunities, with relief veterinarians often billing between $90 and $140 per hour in various practices; specialty relief jobs, particularly in surgery or emergency medicine, can range from $150 to $250 per hour. Different employer types, such as independent clinics versus corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl, influence hourly pay structures significantly. While some veterinarians accept lower hourly rates for the stability of health benefits, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiation tactics can play a substantial role in securing optimal hourly rates, especially in a continuously evolving market shaped by corporate consolidation trends in veterinary medicine.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Kearny in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Kearny?
Are veterinarians in Kearny paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Kearny?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Kearny?
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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 Kearny. 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 Kearny 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