Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Providence, RI: $65.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Providence, RI runs $65.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,584 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Providence's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.8, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,955 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians practicing in Providence, Rhode Island can expect a median hourly pay of $65.67, which is just slightly below the national hourly median of $66.03. This hourly rate reflects a decent compensation for part-time veterinarians working three days a week, offering a possible pathway for those interested in balancing work and personal time. With the hourly range between $52.25 for entry-level positions and up to $101.12 for top earners, there is substantial potential for growth. For per-diem veterinarians, working in settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty referral hospitals, the flexibility of this work arrangement allows for optimal income generation during peak times or emergency cases, which is especially significant in a competitive market like Providence.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.25 | $418.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.23 | $441.83 |
| Median (P50) | $65.67 | $525.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.93 | $655.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.12 | $808.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Providence
Based on $65.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.67/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Providence, RI can expect to earn approximately $136,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,803. With a cost-of-living index of 101.77 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Providence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Providence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,626.76 | $11,383 | $136,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,576.05 | $6,830 | $81,955 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,050.70 | $4,553 | $54,637 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Providence) | $65.67 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Providence, RI earn a median of $136,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.55% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the Rhode Island state average of $137,964.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.67/hr = $81,955/year (purchasing power: $80,527).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,591/year (purchasing power: $134,212).
CoL index: 101.773 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Providence grew 17.9% from $52.77/hr (2019) to $62.21/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.32/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 Providence 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 Providence
Focusing on part-time earning capacity, a veterinarian working approximately 24 hours a week could potentially take home around $82,773 annually. In contrast, full-time practitioners working standard hours could see significantly higher earnings. Relief veterinarians often command higher rates, billing per diem at anywhere from $90 to $140 per hour for general practices, while specialty services can command between $150 and $250 per hour. In Providence, salary scales can also vary according to practice type; for instance, corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl typically follow a different pay structure than independent practices or government roles. Many choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, and negotiating these terms can be critical, particularly for those in the midst of corporate consolidation trends affecting the industry. As a result, understanding your worth and advocating for appropriate compensation can lead to improved job satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Providence in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Providence?
Are veterinarians in Providence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Providence?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Providence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 Providence. 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