Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Pierre, SD: $57.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Pierre, SD runs $57.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,737 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Pierre's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,837 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pierre, South Dakota, the veterinarian hourly pay in 2026 is projected to reach a median of $57.56, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $66.03. This disparity indicates that veterinarians in Pierre may find themselves working in various clinical and non-clinical settings, such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or even in equine ambulatory visits. The hourly rate ranges from $33.39 for entry-level positions to $89.23 for those at the higher end of the pay scale, creating different income opportunities for both full-time and part-time veterinarians. For part-time workers, especially those employed three days a week, the lower rates can significantly impact overall earnings, highlighting the importance of evaluating job offers and benefits packages in order to optimize pay.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.39 | $267.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.77 | $382.13 |
| Median (P50) | $57.56 | $460.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.37 | $578.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.23 | $713.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pierre
Based on $57.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.56/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pierre, SD can expect to earn approximately $119,729 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,074. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pierre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pierre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,302.47 | $9,977 | $119,729 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,381.48 | $5,986 | $71,837 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $920.99 | $3,991 | $47,891 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Pierre) | $57.56 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Pierre, SD earn a median of $119,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $127,379.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.56/hr = $71,837/year (purchasing power: $77,411).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,729/year (purchasing power: $129,018).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Pierre grew 36.3% from $40.01/hr (2019) to $54.53/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.76/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 Pierre 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 Pierre
Choosing to work as a per-diem veterinarian in Pierre can also yield varied compensation, with rates for locum or relief veterinarians often between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices. Specialty relief positions can command even higher rates, going from $150 to $250 per hour, especially for services in surgery or emergency care. Each employer type influences hourly rates differently; for example, corporate clinics like VCA and BluePearl tend to have structured pay scales that average lower than independent practices. This effect is compounded in mixed or rural practices, which may offer competitive hourly rates but compromise on benefits. Consequently, some veterinarians will opt for the security of lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and retirement plans. Veterans in this field should be prepared to negotiate based on their specialty and needs, ensuring that any hourly rate aligned with their experience is fair while remaining competitive within the regional market.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
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 Pierre. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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