Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Oklahoma City, OK: $50.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Oklahoma City, OK runs $50.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,241 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Oklahoma City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,536 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oklahoma City, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at $50.11 for 2026, which contrasts significantly with the national hourly median of $66.03. This discrepancy highlights the regional differences in compensation levels for veterinary professionals. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, earnings can vary, influencing overall income depending on the settings—be it in general practice exam rooms, specialty hospitals, or during farm visits with equine ambulatory trucks. With an hourly wage range from $26.24 at the entry-level to $102.41 for top earners, veterinarians in Oklahoma City navigate diverse environments, from corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl that dominate about 25% of the market, to independent practices. These rates reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures based on 2025 data, projected into 2026.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.24 | $209.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.71 | $325.72 |
| Median (P50) | $50.11 | $400.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.63 | $525.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.41 | $819.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oklahoma City
Based on $50.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.11/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oklahoma City, OK can expect to earn approximately $104,227 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,131. With a cost-of-living index of 90.41 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oklahoma City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oklahoma City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,004.37 | $8,686 | $104,227 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,202.62 | $5,211 | $62,536 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $801.75 | $3,474 | $41,691 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Oklahoma City) | $50.11 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $104,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.10% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 14.60% below the Oklahoma state average of $122,061.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.11/hr = $62,536/year (purchasing power: $69,171).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,227/year (purchasing power: $115,286).
CoL index: 90.408 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Oklahoma City grew 29.5% from $36.65/hr (2019) to $47.47/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.90/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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Beyond the standard hourly pay, part-time veterinarians can expect to take home considerably less annually compared to their full-time peers. A veterinarian working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, significantly reduces their earnings potential. For those in relief work or per-diem positions, the economic landscape varies widely. Many relief veterinarians can charge $90-$140 per hour in general practices, while specialty areas may see rates soar to $150-$250 per hour. Emergency coverage on weekends is often lucrative, pushing rates towards $150-$200 per hour. Hourly rates also differ depending on the type of employer in Oklahoma City; corporate clinics, mixed practices, and facilities in the pharmaceutical sector may offer varied compensation packages, often balancing between hourly pay and benefits. This dynamic plays an essential role in career decisions, as some veterinarians may choose lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, while others prioritize higher rates even if they forgo additional perks. Understanding these nuances is vital for practitioners looking to maximize their financial outcomes in this evolving veterinary market.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
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 Oklahoma City. 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