Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $62.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Greenville, SC runs $62.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,810 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,490 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Greenville, South Carolina, the veterinarian hourly rate is projected to be $62.89 in 2026, which sits slightly below the national median of $66.03. This rate is significant for many veterinarians engaging in part-time work, such as those typically operating three days a week, as well as for those working on a per-diem basis. The diverse settings where veterinarians practice—ranging from general practice exam rooms and surgical suites to university teaching hospitals and specialty referral wards—offer varying pay scales while allowing for flexible schedules. Entry-level veterinarians can expect to earn around $24.09 per hour, while more experienced practitioners might see rates as high as $90.19, reflecting the broad spectrum of opportunities available in the Greenville area based on the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates for 2026.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.09 | $192.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.88 | $399.02 |
| Median (P50) | $62.89 | $503.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.11 | $640.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.19 | $721.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $62.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.89/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $130,817 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,471. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,515.71 | $10,901 | $130,817 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,509.42 | $6,541 | $78,490 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,006.28 | $4,361 | $52,327 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Greenville) | $62.89 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Greenville, SC earn a median of $130,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.75% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% above the South Carolina state average of $129,901.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.89/hr = $78,490/year (purchasing power: $84,163).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,817/year (purchasing power: $140,271).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Greenville grew 22.7% from $48.55/hr (2019) to $59.58/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.39/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
Beyond the standard hourly structure, there are notable variations in income for veterinarians in Greenville based on practice type and working arrangements. For instance, part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week could comfortably anticipate an annual income that is considerably lower than their full-time counterparts, which remains an attractive option for many seeking work-life balance. On the per-diem front, relief veterinarians can earn between $90 and $140 hourly at general practices, while specialty relief positions can even command between $150 and $250 per hour. Additionally, employer type significantly affects pay; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl might offer lower hourly rates compared to independent practices, which can provide better benefits. Understanding these dynamics, veterinarians negotiating their pay in Greenville should weigh the benefits associated with jobs offering health insurance against those with higher hourly rates that lack such perks, tailoring their decisions to fit their personal circumstances and financial goals in a profession that is rapidly adapting to market forces.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
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 Greenville. 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