Veterinarian Hourly Pay in La Vergne, TN: $59.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in La Vergne, TN runs $59.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,864 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against La Vergne's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,721 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In La Vergne, Tennessee, veterinarians earn a median hourly rate of $59.07, which falls short of the national median of $66.03 per hour. This hourly rate impacts various employment arrangements, particularly for part-time veterinarians working three days a week, who often balance their roles in general practice exam rooms, specialty referral hospitals, and university clinic settings. The hourly pay for veterinarians in La Vergne ranges from $35.75 for entry-level positions to $91.56 for those at the top of the profession, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential. Such figures reflect trends derived from annual salary estimates, illustrating how the field is adapting to meet both community needs and the realities of veterinary practice in 2026.
About the La Vergne Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($106,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.75 | $286.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.17 | $377.40 |
| Median (P50) | $59.07 | $472.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.40 | $595.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.56 | $732.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Vergne
Based on $59.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.07/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Vergne, TN can expect to earn approximately $122,868 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,886. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Vergne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Vergne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,362.86 | $10,239 | $122,868 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,417.71 | $6,143 | $73,721 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $945.14 | $4,096 | $49,147 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (La Vergne) | $59.07 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in La Vergne, TN earn a median of $122,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.54% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $128,654.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.07/hr = $73,721/year (purchasing power: $80,306).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,868/year (purchasing power: $133,844).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in La Vergne grew 36.3% from $41.06/hr (2019) to $55.96/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.36/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 La Vergne 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 La Vergne
When examining the financial landscape for veterinarians in La Vergne, part-time workers can expect to earn a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. A veterinarian working 24 hours a week might take home considerably less than those in full-time positions, making it crucial to evaluate actual needs versus lifestyle choices. Additionally, per diem veterinarian pay in La Vergne can vary widely; relief veterinarians often bill $90-$140 per hour for general practice, while specialty relief may command $150-$250 per hour, particularly for critical care or surgical positions. Hourly wages differ across employer types in the area, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl providing different compensation structures than independent practices. Some veterinarians may opt for lower hourly wages at corporate facilities for job security and benefits, while others pursue higher pay without health coverage. Understanding these trade-offs is vital in successfully negotiating wages, especially given the growing trend toward corporate consolidation in veterinary care, which influences compensation models across the board.
More salary data for La Vergne, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in La Vergne in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in La Vergne?
Are veterinarians in La Vergne paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in La Vergne?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in La Vergne?
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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 La Vergne. 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 La Vergne 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