Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $65.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Columbia, SC runs $65.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,186 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,310 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Columbia, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $65.95 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $66.03. This competitive pay reflects the vital role that veterinarians play in various environments, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospital wards. The hourly wage for veterinarians in Columbia spans from $39.33 (P10) for entry-level positions to a substantial $111.72 (P90) for top earners, showcasing a broad spectrum of earning potential. Such figures are particularly relevant for part-time veterinarians working three days a week or for those seeking per-diem opportunities, considering the diverse settings in which they're often employed—from equine ambulatory visits to university clinics and pharmaceutical offices.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.33 | $314.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.59 | $412.70 |
| Median (P50) | $65.95 | $527.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.73 | $669.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.72 | $893.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $65.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.95/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $137,184 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,145. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,638.16 | $11,432 | $137,184 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,582.89 | $6,859 | $82,310 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,055.26 | $4,573 | $54,874 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Columbia) | $65.95 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Columbia, SC earn a median of $137,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.11% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.60% above the South Carolina state average of $129,911.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.95/hr = $82,310/year (purchasing power: $87,880).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,184/year (purchasing power: $146,467).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Columbia grew 15.4% from $54.15/hr (2019) to $62.48/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.62/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
For those considering part-time roles, working as a veterinarian for three days a week translates into a substantial annual income, albeit lower than full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem veterinarians in Columbia enjoy lucrative earnings, commonly billing between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices. Specialty relief work, especially in surgery or internal medicine, yields even higher rates, ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. The type of employer greatly influences hourly pay, as corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl may offer lower rates than independent practices or specialty hospitals. Additionally, the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates with comprehensive health insurance is a significant consideration in the decision-making process for many veterinarians. In Columbia, understanding negotiation strategies for hourly pay can lead to more favorable compensation packages, which is vital in light of the corporate consolidation trend reshaping the veterinary landscape across SC.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Columbia in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Columbia?
Are veterinarians in Columbia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Columbia?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Columbia?
Related Pages
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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 Columbia. 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