Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Athens, OH: $59.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Athens, OH runs $59.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,828 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Athens, Ohio, can expect a median hourly pay of $59.96, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $66.03. This hourly rate provides insights into the compensation landscape for part-time and per-diem veterinarians operating in various settings such as general practice, specialized surgical suites, and university teaching hospitals. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, the potential income reflects a substantial but limited earning capability given the flexibility that such schedules offer. Entry-level practitioners can anticipate earning around $35.84 an hour, while seasoned professionals may achieve rates as high as $92.92 per hour, underscoring a significant variation influenced by experience, specialization, and practice type.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.84 | $286.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.47 | $379.76 |
| Median (P50) | $59.96 | $479.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.50 | $596.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.92 | $743.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $59.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.96/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, OH can expect to earn approximately $124,713 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,950. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,398.32 | $10,393 | $124,713 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,438.99 | $6,236 | $74,828 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $959.33 | $4,157 | $49,885 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Athens) | $59.96 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Athens, OH earn a median of $124,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.20% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $134,379.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.96/hr = $74,828/year (purchasing power: $82,500).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,713/year (purchasing power: $137,500).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Athens grew 36.3% from $41.68/hr (2019) to $56.80/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.29/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 Athens 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 Athens
Considering the earning opportunities for veterinarians working in Athens, those opting for part-time employment face a unique financial scenario. A veterinarian working three days a week for a total of 24 hours would take home a significant yet less lucrative annual income compared to a full-time counterpart. Per diem veterinarians in Athens can capitalize on considerably higher rates; those working in general practices bill between $90-$140 per hour, while specialty veterinarians—particularly in fields such as surgery or emergency care—can command rates from $150 to $250 per hour. Each employer type also affects the hourly rate significantly; larger corporate practices may offer lower hourly pay but include benefits, while independent clinics often provide higher hourly rates without perks. For veterinarians navigating their compensation, a clear understanding of the trade-offs related to benefits versus hourly pay is crucial for negotiating their worth in the evolving veterinary landscape in Athens.
More salary data for Athens, OH:
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 Athens. 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 Athens 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