Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $51.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Fargo, ND runs $51.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,911 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,144 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, veterinarians earn a median hourly pay of $51.40, which falls short of the national median of $66.03. This discrepancy reflects the regional cost of living and labor market conditions. For those working part-time, such as in general practice exam rooms or at specialty referral hospitals, this rate translates to different earning potentials. For instance, a part-time veterinarian working three days a week would earn a considerable income over the course of the year. The hourly pay in Fargo ranges from $40.60 for entry-level positions to $78.67 for experienced professionals. The information shared here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.60 | $324.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.52 | $348.18 |
| Median (P50) | $51.40 | $411.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.57 | $508.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.67 | $629.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $51.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.40/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $106,906 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,677. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,055.89 | $8,909 | $106,906 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,233.53 | $5,345 | $64,144 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $822.35 | $3,564 | $42,762 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Fargo) | $51.40 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Fargo, ND earn a median of $106,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.15% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 15.40% below the North Dakota state average of $126,373.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.40/hr = $64,144/year (purchasing power: $70,588).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,906/year (purchasing power: $117,646).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Fargo grew 17.0% from $41.62/hr (2019) to $48.69/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.25/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
Considering a typical full-time schedule versus part-time work shows a notable distinction in annual earnings. A veterinarian who works three days a week might take home significantly less compared to a full-time counterpart depending on hours worked. Meanwhile, per diem veterinarians often engage in more lucrative arrangements, with agency or locum veterinary roles offering hourly pay rates between $90 and $140 for general practices and $150 to $250 for specialized services like surgery or emergency care. The hourly rates vary significantly by employer type in Fargo—corporate chains may offer lower pay compared to independent practices, but they often provide better health benefits. This trade-off between higher hourly wages and benefits leads many veterinarians to consider their priorities carefully when negotiating contracts. It's imperative for professionals in the field to understand these dynamics and negotiate accordingly to align their compensation with their professional goals, especially as corporate consolidation continues to influence compensation models within the profession.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Fargo in 2026?
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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 Fargo. 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