Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Los Alamos, NM: $57.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Los Alamos, NM runs $57.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,490 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Los Alamos's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,692 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Alamos, NM, veterinarians can expect a median hourly pay of $57.45, which is notably lower than the national average of $66.03 per hour. This figure reflects the economic landscape of the region and the local demand for veterinary services. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into manageable compensation, allowing for a flexible schedule while still providing adequate income. The hourly wage spectrum ranges from $35.24 for entry-level positions to $89.04 for experienced practitioners, highlighting the opportunities for growth within various work environments such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and even pharmaceutical industry offices.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.24 | $281.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.32 | $370.56 |
| Median (P50) | $57.45 | $459.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.17 | $577.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.04 | $712.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Alamos
Based on $57.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.45/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Alamos, NM can expect to earn approximately $119,487 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,935. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Alamos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Alamos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,297.83 | $9,957 | $119,487 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,378.70 | $5,974 | $71,692 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $919.13 | $3,983 | $47,795 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Los Alamos) | $57.45 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $119,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $129,598.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.45/hr = $71,692/year (purchasing power: $75,945).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,487/year (purchasing power: $126,575).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Los Alamos grew 36.3% from $39.93/hr (2019) to $54.42/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.64/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 Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
Exploring part-time and per-diem work options offers fascinating earning potentials. A veterinarian working 24 hours a week can take home roughly $73,000 annually, providing a viable option for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Per diem veterinarians in Los Alamos earn higher rates, often billing $90 to $140 per hour in general practices and even up to $250 for specialty relief positions. Hourly pay disparities also exist across various employer types; corporate chains may offer more stable salaries with benefits, while independent practices might provide higher hourly compensation without perks. Those seeking to negotiate their pay could consider their own situation—including the trade-offs of higher hourly rates without benefits versus steadier employment with health coverage—ensuring they align their decisions with personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
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 Los Alamos. 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 Los Alamos 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