Veterinarian Salary

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.

$122,864
Median Annual Salary
$59.07/hr
Hourly Rate
$74,375
Entry Level (P10)
$190,440
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinarian Hourly Rate in La Vergne, TN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
La Vergne, TN veterinarian hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a veterinarian in La Vergne earning $59.07/hr would make approximately $70,886 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $122,868 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$70,886Reduced (32 hr/wk)$94,514Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$122,868

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$472.57
per 8hr shift
$2,362.86
per week
$10,239
per month
$122,868
per year

Schedule Comparison in La Vergne

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinarian median salary in La Vergne ($122,864) with Tennessee average ($128,654) and the US national median ($137,334).La Vergne$122,864Tennessee Avg$128,654-4.50%US National$137,334-10.54%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for veterinarians in La Vergne. Baseline $41.06/hr in 2025, projected to $62.36/hr by 2027.$37$44$52$59$672019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.06$42.69$43.17$44.42$51.23$44.68$55.96$59.07$62.36
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$41.06/hrActual
2020$42.69/hrActual
2021$43.17/hrActual
2022$44.42/hrActual
2023$51.23/hrActual
2024$44.68/hrActual
2025$55.96/hrActual
2026(current)$59.07/hrEstimated
2027$62.36/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vergne metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in La Vergne in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for veterinarians in La Vergne is $59.07/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.56% annual growth). Rates range from $35.75 at entry level (10th percentile) to $91.56 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 10.5% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time veterinarians make in La Vergne?

A part-time veterinarian working 3 days per week (24 hours) in La Vergne earns approximately $6,143/month, or $73,721/year at the median hourly rate of $59.07. Many veterinarians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are veterinarians in La Vergne paid hourly or salary?

The majority of veterinarians in La Vergne are paid hourly at a median rate of $59.07/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $122,868/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in La Vergne?

A full-time veterinarian working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in La Vergne earns approximately $122,868/year at the median hourly rate of $59.07. This is 10.5% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $190,451/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in La Vergne?

Part-time and per diem veterinarians in La Vergne sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $91.56/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

AN

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.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

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).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: