Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Montclair, NJ: $75.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Montclair, NJ runs $75.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $156,648 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Montclair's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $93,983 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Montclair, New Jersey, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected at $75.31 for 2026, significantly above the national hourly median of $66.03. This higher rate offers lucrative opportunities for both part-time professionals and those working in per-diem settings. Veterinarians operating in Montclair may typically work a three-day week, focusing on tasks across various environments, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. The hourly pay ranges from $43.68 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $116.73 at the high end (90th percentile), which reflects both entry-level positions and more seasoned veterinarians commanding premium rates. These figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, underscoring the diverse earning capabilities across various veterinary practice settings within Montclair.
About the Montclair 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) | $43.68 | $349.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.79 | $494.36 |
| Median (P50) | $75.31 | $602.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.62 | $748.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116.73 | $933.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Montclair
Based on $75.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.31/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Montclair, NJ can expect to earn approximately $156,638 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,368. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Montclair.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Montclair
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,012.26 | $13,053 | $156,638 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,807.36 | $7,832 | $93,983 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,204.90 | $5,221 | $62,655 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Montclair) | $75.31 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $156,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $158,230.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.31/hr = $93,983/year (purchasing power: $81,582).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $156,638/year (purchasing power: $135,970).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Montclair grew 36.3% from $52.35/hr (2019) to $71.34/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.49/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 Montclair 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 Montclair
Factors influencing the hourly pay landscape include part-time work dynamics and the reality of per-diem or relief positions in this field. A veterinarian working 24 hours a week at the 2026 median hourly rate could take home approximately $94,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings. Relief veterinarians commonly bill between $90-$140 per hour for general practices, while specialty roles can reach upwards of $150-$250 per hour, particularly for surgical or emergency coverage. Employment type also plays a critical role, with corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl offering standardized pay structures, while independent clinics might provide more flexibility but with variability in benefits. Negotiating compensation may also involve considering health insurance versus higher hourly rates without such packages. Understanding these dynamics in Montclair's veterinary market can aid professionals in making informed career decisions and negotiating better pay.
More salary data for Montclair, NJ:
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 Montclair. 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 Montclair 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