Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $70.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Philadelphia, PA runs $70.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $147,583 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,542 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Philadelphia, PA, will earn a median hourly rate of $70.95, surpassing the national median of $66.03. This elevated rate reflects a competitive landscape for veterinarians, making it an appealing option for part-time professionals and per-diem workers. For those working three days a week, like many in general practice exam rooms or specialty referral hospitals, the hourly pay can translate to solid earnings even in shorter shifts. The hourly range for veterinarians in the city will vary widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $45.23 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $142.98 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates a healthy demand for veterinary services, where professionals might find themselves working in diverse environments, such as surgical suites, equine ambulatory settings, or pharmaceutical industry offices.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.23 | $361.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.73 | $509.81 |
| Median (P50) | $70.95 | $567.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.17 | $705.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142.98 | $1143.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $70.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.95/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $147,570 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,136. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,837.88 | $12,297 | $147,570 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,702.73 | $7,378 | $88,542 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,135.15 | $4,919 | $59,028 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Philadelphia) | $70.95 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $147,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.46% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 6.80% above the Pennsylvania state average of $138,187.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.95/hr = $88,542/year (purchasing power: $86,337).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $147,570/year (purchasing power: $143,894).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Philadelphia grew 21.8% from $55.17/hr (2019) to $67.21/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.89/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Analyzing the earning potential for part-time veterinarians reveals that a typical schedule of three days a week equates to 24 hours, translating to an annual income of about $88,622. While this is a respectable income, relief veterinarians working under locum tenens often take home significantly more, with rates ranging between $90 to $140 per hour for general practices. More specialized roles or weekend emergency coverage can yield even higher rates, often between $150 to $250 per hour. Hourly pay varies across different employer types in Philadelphia; large corporate chains may offer a consistent pay scale, while independent practices might provide flexibility but potentially at a lower hourly rate. The decision between hourly compensation and benefits like health insurance becomes crucial, as some vets may prioritize higher pay in exchange for the absence of additional perks. Effective negotiation strategies, especially in a city with such a diverse veterinary landscape, can help maximize earnings and secure favorable terms aligned with personal and professional priorities.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Philadelphia in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Philadelphia?
Are veterinarians in Philadelphia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Philadelphia?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Philadelphia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Philadelphia. 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