Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Cincinnati, OH: $64.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Cincinnati, OH runs $64.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,768 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Cincinnati's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.4, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,861 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Cincinnati's veterinarian hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $64.79 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $66.03. This rate significantly impacts part-time veterinarians and those seeking per-diem work in various settings, including general practices, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. For professionals working three days a week, the compensation may not only meet their financial needs but also lend flexibility to their schedules. The hourly compensation range in Cincinnati extends from $29.37 for entry-level positions to $106.07 for top earners, reflecting the varied opportunities available in the city. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 projections, illustrates a diverse economic landscape for veterinary professionals in this region.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.37 | $234.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.34 | $402.73 |
| Median (P50) | $64.79 | $518.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.11 | $648.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.07 | $848.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cincinnati
Based on $64.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.79/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cincinnati, OH can expect to earn approximately $134,769 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,751. With a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cincinnati.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cincinnati
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,591.71 | $11,231 | $134,769 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,555.03 | $6,738 | $80,861 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.68 | $4,492 | $53,908 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Cincinnati) | $64.79 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $134,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.87% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.30% above the Ohio state average of $134,365.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.79/hr = $80,861/year (purchasing power: $84,787).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,769/year (purchasing power: $141,312).
CoL index: 95.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Cincinnati grew 48.0% from $41.46/hr (2019) to $61.38/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.40/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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
Earning potential for part-time veterinarians illustrates a stark contrast in income compared to full-time practitioners. A veterinarian working three days a week, assuming a 24-hour schedule, would bring home approximately $98,000 annually, which can be substantial yet less than what a full-time colleague might earn. Per diem veterinarians in Cincinnati engage with practices that offer higher billing rates, often ranging from $90 to $140 for general work and reaching $150 to $250 per hour for specialty roles. Furthermore, hourly wages can vary significantly based on the practice type—whether corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl or independent local practices—making negotiation essential for those seeking favorable terms. Some veterinarians might accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and other benefits, while others might prioritize higher pay without the safety net of benefits. Understanding these dynamics can empower veterinary professionals in Cincinnati as they navigate their career choices, especially in a changing landscape influenced by corporate consolidation.
More salary data for Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati. 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