Veterinarian Salary

Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Lawton, OK: $57.76 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Lawton, OK runs $57.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Lawton's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,088 per year.

$120,148
Median Annual Salary
$57.76/hr
Hourly Rate
$71,872
Entry Level (P10)
$186,230
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarian Hourly Rate in Lawton, OK — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lawton, OK veterinarian hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Veterinarians in Lawton, OK, can expect a median hourly pay of $57.76 in 2026, which is significantly below the national median of $66.03. This hourly figure impacts various working arrangements, making the profession appealing to part-time veterinarians who may choose to work three days a week, or to per-diem veterinarians who value flexible schedules. The hourly range spans from $34.55 for entry-level positions to $89.54 for top earners in the area. These estimates are derived from annual salary projections, reflecting compensation within diverse settings such as general practices, specialty referral hospitals, and even university teaching hospitals.

About the Lawton Market

Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$34.55$276.40
Lower Range (P25)$46.10$368.78
Median (P50)$57.76$462.10
Upper Range (P75)$73.93$591.47
Top Earners (P90)$89.54$716.29

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawton

Based on $57.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a veterinarian in Lawton earning $57.76/hr would make approximately $69,315 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $120,146 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$69,315Reduced (32 hr/wk)$92,420Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$120,146

At $57.76/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawton, OK can expect to earn approximately $120,146 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,315. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawton.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$462.10
per 8hr shift
$2,310.50
per week
$10,012
per month
$120,146
per year

Schedule Comparison in Lawton

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,310.50$10,012$120,146
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,386.30$6,007$72,088
Per Diem (16 hrs)$924.20$4,005$48,058

Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Veterinarian (Lawton)$57.76
Veterinary Technician (National Avg)$19.39
Physician (National Avg)$113.07
Dentist (National Avg)$87.53
Optometrist (National Avg)$64.22
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinarian median salary in Lawton ($120,148) with Oklahoma average ($122,102) and the US national median ($137,334).Lawton$120,148Oklahoma Avg$122,102-1.60%US National$137,334-12.51%

Veterinarians in Lawton, OK earn a median of $120,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.51% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.60% below the Oklahoma state average of $122,102.

Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $57.76/hr = $72,088/year (purchasing power: $81,088).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,146/year (purchasing power: $135,147).

CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$40.15/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$54.72/hr

2026 Current Est.

$57.76/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+51.9%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lawton (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for veterinarians in Lawton. Baseline $40.15/hr in 2025, projected to $60.97/hr by 2027.$36$43$51$58$652019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$40.15$41.74$42.22$43.43$50.09$42.06$54.72$57.76$60.97
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$40.15/hrActual
2020$41.74/hrActual
2021$42.22/hrActual
2022$43.43/hrActual
2023$50.09/hrActual
2024$42.06/hrActual
2025$54.72/hrActual
2026(current)$57.76/hrEstimated
2027$60.97/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lawton grew 36.3% from $40.15/hr (2019) to $54.72/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.97/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Lawton

In terms of part-time earning potential, a veterinarian working 24 hours a week would gross approximately $72,196 annually, a figure that contrasts sharply with full-time income. Relief and locum veterinarians in Lawton can command per diem rates between $90 and $140 per hour at typical practices, while specialized relief services may reach $150 to $250 per hour for intricate surgeries or emergency cases. In Lawton, the type of employer significantly influences hourly rates, with large animal or mixed practices offering different compensation than corporate chains like VCA or independent establishments. Some veterinarians might accept lower hourly wages at corporate practices for the associated benefits like health insurance, trading off higher per-hour pay with no benefits in other settings. Negotiating effectively for compensation can involve understanding these dynamics, highlighting the importance of knowing local pay standards, and recognizing the value of experience and specialty certifications when discussing hourly rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Lawton in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lawton is $57.76/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Rates range from $34.55 at entry level (10th percentile) to $89.54 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 12.5% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time veterinarians make in Lawton?

A part-time veterinarian working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Lawton earns approximately $6,007/month, or $72,088/year at the median hourly rate of $57.76. Many veterinarians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are veterinarians in Lawton paid hourly or salary?

The majority of veterinarians in Lawton are paid hourly at a median rate of $57.76/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $120,146/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Lawton?

A full-time veterinarian working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Lawton earns approximately $120,146/year at the median hourly rate of $57.76. This is 12.5% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $186,235/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Lawton?

Part-time and per diem veterinarians in Lawton sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $89.54/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Oklahoma

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

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 Lawton. 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 Lawton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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