Veterinarian Hourly Pay in South Valley, NM: $60.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in South Valley, NM runs $60.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,547 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against South Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,328 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Valley, NM, veterinarians earn a median hourly rate of $60.36, which is noticeably below the national median of $66.03. This rate has implications for those considering part-time work, as a veterinarian working three days a week would earn a decent wage while having flexibility in their schedule. Per-diem opportunities are also viable, allowing veterinarians to work in various settings, including surgical suites, specialty clinics, or even during emergency shifts at understaffed hospitals. The hourly pay ranges from $35.00 for entry-level positions to $93.56 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting the diverse types of practices and demand for services in the South Valley area. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, emphasizing the need for veterinarians to carefully assess their work arrangements based on these hourly rates.
About the South Valley 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) | $35.00 | $280.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.22 | $393.78 |
| Median (P50) | $60.36 | $482.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.09 | $616.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.56 | $748.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Valley
Based on $60.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.36/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Valley, NM can expect to earn approximately $125,547 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,431. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,414.37 | $10,462 | $125,547 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,448.62 | $6,277 | $75,328 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $965.75 | $4,185 | $50,219 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (South Valley) | $60.36 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in South Valley, NM earn a median of $125,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.20% below the New Mexico state average of $129,697.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.36/hr = $75,328/year (purchasing power: $79,797).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,547/year (purchasing power: $132,995).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in South Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in South Valley grew 36.3% from $41.96/hr (2019) to $57.18/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.72/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 South Valley 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 South Valley
Focusing on the earning potential for part-time veterinarians reveals interesting dynamics in South Valley. A veterinarian working just three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, could expect to take home around $77,488 annually, significantly less than those employed full-time. Furthermore, per diem veterinarians can command higher rates, often billing between $90-$140 per hour in general practices, with specialty relief positions earning even more, between $150-$250 per hour. This variation in pay is also influenced by the type of clinic, as corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl typically offer structured pay scales that may be less than independent practices or specialty hospitals. Veterinarians must weigh the attractive pay against the security of benefits, often opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for coverage. For those negotiating their hourly pay, highlighting unique skills, such as experience in emergency care, can help leverage better compensation.
More salary data for South Valley, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in South Valley in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in South Valley?
Are veterinarians in South Valley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in South Valley?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in South Valley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 South Valley. 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 South Valley 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