Veterinarian Hourly Pay in San Juan, PR: $46.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in San Juan, PR runs $46.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,239 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,741 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians working in San Juan, Puerto Rico, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $46.27 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $66.03. This discrepancy may influence those contemplating part-time and per-diem roles, such as veterinarians who work three days a week, balancing work in general practice exam rooms or surgical suites. The hourly wage for veterinarians in San Juan ranges from $29.85 for entry-level positions to $80.20 for the top earners. These figures, derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrate the varying pay scales based on experience and specific practice settings in the region.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.85 | $238.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.56 | $284.51 |
| Median (P50) | $46.27 | $370.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.45 | $539.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.20 | $641.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Juan
Based on $46.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.27/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Juan, PR can expect to earn approximately $96,235 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,520.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Juan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,850.68 | $8,020 | $96,235 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,110.41 | $4,812 | $57,741 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $740.27 | $3,208 | $38,494 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (San Juan) | $46.27 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in San Juan, PR earn a median of $96,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.92% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.60% below the Puerto Rico state average of $103,040.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in San Juan grew 25.9% from $34.82/hr (2019) to $43.83/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.84/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 San Juan 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 San Juan
Considering the earning potential for part-time veterinarians in San Juan, a practitioner working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can take home around $57,612 annually, placing them significantly below a full-time colleague. Per diem veterinarian pay in San Juan can vary widely; relief veterinarians often bill between $90 and $140 an hour at general practices, while those offering specialty services can command between $150 and $250 per hour. The type of practice impacts pay rates, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl offering salaries that might include benefits—potentially lower hourly rates—compared to independent practices that may offer higher hourly rates but lack benefits. Negotiating hourly pay effectively involves understanding local compensation rates and leveraging specialty credentials for better offers in a competitive landscape shaped by corporate consolidation in the veterinary market.
More salary data for San Juan, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in San Juan in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in San Juan?
Are veterinarians in San Juan paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in San Juan?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in San Juan?
Related Pages
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 San Juan. 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