Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $64.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Rochester, NY runs $64.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,673 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,809 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian hourly pay in Rochester, NY is projected to be $64.75. This rate is slightly lower than the national median of $66.03, which indicates a competitive yet unique local market for veterinary professionals. The hourly wage offers various options for part-time and per-diem workers, allowing flexibility in work schedules, especially in environments such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty referral hospitals. For those in the field, the hourly range demonstrates a diverse earning potential, starting at $47.20 for entry-level positions and extending to $101.73 for top earners. Such figures reflect the official BLS data and clearly highlight the opportunities available in different veterinary settings across Rochester while emphasizing the overall stability of the profession.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.20 | $377.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.62 | $412.95 |
| Median (P50) | $64.75 | $518.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.84 | $622.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.73 | $813.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $64.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.75/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $134,681 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,701. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,590.02 | $11,223 | $134,681 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,554.01 | $6,734 | $80,809 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.01 | $4,489 | $53,872 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Rochester) | $64.75 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Rochester, NY earn a median of $134,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% lower than the national median of $137,334.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.75/hr = $80,809/year (purchasing power: $83,278).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,681/year (purchasing power: $138,796).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Rochester grew 13.2% from $54.17/hr (2019) to $61.34/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.35/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
A veterinarian working part-time, for instance three days a week, can expect to bring home a comparable annual income, albeit lower than their full-time counterparts if maintained consistently. For per diem veterinarians, engaging in work through an agency or locum tenens, the billing rates can significantly elevate the earning potential, with common rates falling between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices. Specialty relief roles, particularly in surgery or internal medicine, can demand $150 to $250 per hour, particularly during weekends or emergencies. Hourly rates can also vary depending on the employment setting; corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, or NVA tend to offer different compensation structures than independent practices and specialty hospitals. With the trend of corporate consolidation influencing pay scales, many veterinarians may choose lower hourly wages for health benefits or seek higher hourly rates without such perks. For those in Rochester, negotiating with a clear understanding of these variables can lead to better compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 Rochester. 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