Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Syracuse, NY: $63.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Syracuse, NY runs $63.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,317 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Syracuse's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,793 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Syracuse, NY, the projected median hourly pay for veterinarians in 2026 is $63.14, which falls short of the national hourly median of $66.03. This hourly rate can significantly impact part-time and per-diem veterinary workers who may choose flexible schedules within various settings such as general practices, specialty hospitals, and ambulatory services. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the typical earnings would align with the low to mid-range of the hourly spectrum, which spans from $43.66 at the entry-level (P10) to up to $101.81 for top performers (P90). The variance in pay reflects the diverse demands and responsibilities placed on veterinarians, highlighting how their hourly compensation directly correlates with their experience and the specific work environments they operate within.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.66 | $349.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.65 | $421.23 |
| Median (P50) | $63.14 | $505.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.84 | $606.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.81 | $814.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Syracuse
Based on $63.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.14/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Syracuse, NY can expect to earn approximately $131,322 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,763. With a cost-of-living index of 95.74 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Syracuse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Syracuse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,525.42 | $10,943 | $131,322 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,515.25 | $6,566 | $78,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,010.17 | $4,377 | $52,529 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Syracuse) | $63.14 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Syracuse, NY earn a median of $131,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.38% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the New York state average of $134,684.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.14/hr = $78,793/year (purchasing power: $82,297).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,322/year (purchasing power: $137,162).
CoL index: 95.742 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Syracuse grew 37.0% from $43.65/hr (2019) to $59.81/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.65/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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse
Considering a part-time veterinarian in Syracuse working a 24-hour week, the annual take-home would be notably different from a full-time schedule. While per diem veterinarians often have the luxury of setting their rates, it's not uncommon for them to bill anywhere between $90 and $140 per hour—particularly in general practices—while specialty relief roles may demand even higher pay, ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. In Syracuse, hourly wages can also differ significantly based on the type of employer; corporate practice often offers lower hourly rates than independent clinics but may include valuable benefits such as health insurance, which can be a compelling trade-off for many. With the ongoing trend of corporate consolidation in veterinary medicine, including ownership by mega-brands like VCA and BluePearl, understanding these distinctions becomes essential for veterinarians negotiating their hourly rates and workload expectations.
More salary data for Syracuse, 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 Syracuse. 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