Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Ithaca, NY: $66.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Ithaca, NY runs $66.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Ithaca's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,522 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Ithaca, NY, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $66.93 by 2026, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This hourly compensation means that part-time veterinarians working three days a week could see a strong income, particularly in settings such as general practice exam rooms and specialty hospitals. For those venturing into per-diem work, the hourly rates across varying contexts can be quite appealing, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $49.96 and top earners reaching up to $85.47. With a growing demand for veterinary services and an abundance of opportunities, these projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) illustrate a promising financial landscape for veterinary professionals in this region.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.96 | $399.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.78 | $430.26 |
| Median (P50) | $66.93 | $535.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.38 | $555.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.47 | $683.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ithaca
Based on $66.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.93/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ithaca, NY can expect to earn approximately $139,204 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,310. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ithaca.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ithaca
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,677.00 | $11,600 | $139,204 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,606.20 | $6,960 | $83,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,070.80 | $4,640 | $55,682 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Ithaca) | $66.93 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $139,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.40% above the New York state average of $134,625.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.93/hr = $83,522/year (purchasing power: $80,841).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,204/year (purchasing power: $134,735).
CoL index: 103.317 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+68.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Ithaca grew 51.5% from $41.86/hr (2019) to $63.40/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.65/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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
Focusing on part-time or per-diem arrangements, a veterinarian working just 24 hours a week in Ithaca could earn a substantial annual income while maintaining flexibility, potentially totaling around $83,789 based on the median hourly rate. The locum veterinarian's niche can prove lucrative as well, with rates often reaching $90-$140 per hour in general practice and even higher for specialty services, which can bill $150-$250 per hour. Hourly rates can vary greatly depending on the type of employer, whether it's a small corporate chain clinic or a specialized referral hospital. While corporate practices such as VCA or BluePearl might offer competitive hourly pay, they frequently come with benefits that independent practices may not provide at the same rate. For veterinarians in Ithaca, negotiating an hourly rate is crucial, especially considering the trade-offs in stability and benefits, which often influence their decisions on where to work.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
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 Ithaca. 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