Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Apex, NC: $65.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Apex, NC runs $65.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,176 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Apex's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,310 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apex, North Carolina, veterinarians earn a median hourly pay of $65.95, which is slightly below the national median of $66.03. This pay scale provides a solid foundation for part-time and per-diem veterinarians seeking flexibility in their work-life balance. For instance, a veterinarian working three days a week may find this hourly rate attractive, earning $63,447 annually, which is a reliable income while allowing for a part-time schedule. Veterinarians in Apex experience a range of hourly earnings; at the lower end, entry-level positions start around $38.25, while the top earners can reach up to $102.22 per hour. These figures are essential for those considering positions in various settings such as specialty referral hospitals, general practice clinics, or even equine ambulatory services.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.25 | $306.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.99 | $423.93 |
| Median (P50) | $65.95 | $527.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.94 | $663.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.22 | $817.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Apex
Based on $65.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.95/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Apex, NC can expect to earn approximately $137,184 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,145. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Apex.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Apex
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,638.16 | $11,432 | $137,184 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,582.89 | $6,859 | $82,310 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,055.26 | $4,573 | $54,874 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Apex) | $65.95 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Apex, NC earn a median of $137,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.12% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $136,223.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.95/hr = $82,310/year (purchasing power: $87,939).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,184/year (purchasing power: $146,564).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Apex grew 36.3% from $45.84/hr (2019) to $62.48/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.62/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 Apex 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 Apex
Considering the competitive nature of veterinary pay in Apex, part-time veterinarians earning $65.95 per hour may generate a total annual income of around $63,447 compared to full-time colleagues who receive significantly more. Per diem veterinarian pay in Apex is also noteworthy; relief veterinarians often bill between $90 and $140 per hour for typical general practice roles, while those with specialized skills can command $150 to $250 per hour in emergency or surgical settings. Hourly rates may differ depending on the type of practice, with corporate entities offering structured benefits packages at lower hourly rates compared to independent practices that might pay higher but lack health insurance. Importantly, this situation presents opportunities for negotiation, especially if veterinarians in Apex can articulate their value relative to the corporate pay scales following recent consolidation trends.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Apex. 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 Apex 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