Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Cleveland Heights, OH: $61.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Cleveland Heights, OH runs $61.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,535 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Cleveland Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,527 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleveland Heights, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $61.32 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $66.03. This rate offers considerable opportunities for part-time veterinarians, especially those working three days a week, as well as per-diem professionals who might rotate among various clinics and settings. Typical environments include general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty hospitals, where pay can vary significantly depending on experience and area of specialization. With an hourly range from around $36.48 for entry-level positions to as much as $95.04 for experienced veterinarians, the financial incentives can vary widely based on practice type and demand. These hourly rates are derived from estimated annual salary data, representing the potential earnings landscape for veterinarians in Cleveland Heights.
About the Cleveland Heights 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) | $36.48 | $291.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.50 | $388.04 |
| Median (P50) | $61.32 | $490.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.76 | $614.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.04 | $760.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland Heights
Based on $61.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.32/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland Heights, OH can expect to earn approximately $127,545 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,584. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,452.79 | $10,629 | $127,545 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,471.68 | $6,377 | $76,527 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $981.12 | $4,252 | $51,018 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Cleveland Heights) | $61.32 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $127,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.14% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $134,389.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.32/hr = $76,527/year (purchasing power: $84,374).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,545/year (purchasing power: $140,623).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Cleveland Heights grew 36.3% from $42.62/hr (2019) to $58.09/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.73/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 Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights
Examining the potential earnings for part-time veterinarians, those working just three days a week might earn considerably less than their full-time counterparts despite a lucrative hourly rate. While full-time veterinarians typically have a more stable income, part-time practitioners can take home a decent annual salary depending on their availability and hours logged. For per-diem positions, relief veterinarians often charge between $90-$140 per hour in general practices, while specialty roles could command rates as high as $150-$250 per hour. Factors like practice type heavily influence hourly wages — corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl represent about 25% of the market and may offer structured pay scales, potentially lower in hourly rate but packed with benefits. Notably, some veterinarians may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance, whereas those looking for higher pay without benefits could negotiate pay-for-service contracts. A strategic approach to negotiations, particularly for those familiar with the corporate consolidation trend in veterinary practices, can yield significant financial returns over time in Cleveland Heights.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Cleveland Heights in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Cleveland Heights. 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 Cleveland Heights 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