Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $61.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Knoxville, TN runs $61.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,896 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,738 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Knoxville, Tennessee, receive a median hourly pay of $61.49, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $66.03. This competitive hourly rate offers flexibility for part-time veterinarians who may work three days a week, typically putting in around 24 hours. It also presents an opportunity for those in per-diem roles, which may take place in various settings such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and even pharmaceutical industry offices. The hourly wage range in Knoxville spans from $50.99 for entry-level veterinarians (10th percentile) to $86.42 for those at the top of the pay scale (90th percentile), as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 data, projected to 2026.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.99 | $407.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.98 | $415.82 |
| Median (P50) | $61.49 | $491.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.92 | $543.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.42 | $691.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $61.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.49/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $127,896 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,786. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,459.55 | $10,658 | $127,896 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,475.73 | $6,395 | $76,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $983.82 | $4,263 | $51,159 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Knoxville) | $61.49 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $127,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.87% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the Tennessee state average of $128,669.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.49/hr = $76,738/year (purchasing power: $82,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,896/year (purchasing power: $138,163).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+97.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Knoxville grew 77.4% from $32.83/hr (2019) to $58.25/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.91/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
When considering part-time work at a 3-day schedule, veterinarians in Knoxville can expect to earn about $61,400 annually, which still offers a comfortable income compared to full-time positions. For those opting for per-diem work, the pay can be significantly higher; relief veterinarians often bill between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, while specialists can command between $150 and $250 per hour based on their skills. Employer types also affect hourly rates, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl accounting for around 25% of the market, typically offering lower pay but with added benefits, in contrast to independent practices that may provide higher hourly wages without additional perks. Negotiating effectively is crucial, as veterinarians should weigh the balance between hourly pay and benefits package carefully, particularly in a market shaped by corporate consolidation. Knowing the going rates in Knoxville and understanding the dynamics of negotiation can empower veterinarians to secure compensation that reflects their skills and expertise.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
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 Knoxville. 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