Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $63.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Memphis, TN runs $63.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,087 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,254 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian hourly rate in Memphis, TN, averages $63.50, which is slightly below the national median of $66.03. This figure reflects the diverse environments in which veterinarians operate, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, specialty referral hospitals, equine ambulatory visits, university teaching clinics, and government inspection sites. For part-time veterinarians, particularly those working three days a week, this rate signals an opportunity to earn a substantial income without committing to a full-time schedule. Entry-level positions may start around $51.13 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $88.44, demonstrating the range of earning potential available in this profession. With a growing demand for veterinary services, Memphis presents a robust market for veterinarians, underpinned by BLS data projected from 2025.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.13 | $409.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.78 | $438.20 |
| Median (P50) | $63.50 | $508.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.68 | $629.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.44 | $707.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis
Based on $63.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.50/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $132,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,206. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Memphis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,540.20 | $11,008 | $132,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,524.12 | $6,605 | $79,254 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,016.08 | $4,403 | $52,836 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Memphis) | $63.50 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Memphis, TN earn a median of $132,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.82% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.70% above the Tennessee state average of $128,615.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.50/hr = $79,254/year (purchasing power: $85,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,090/year (purchasing power: $143,297).
CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Memphis grew 43.2% from $42.02/hr (2019) to $60.16/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.04/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 Memphis 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 Memphis
Considering the earning potential of part-time veterinarians in Memphis reveals interesting insights. A veterinarian working just three days a week, clocking 24 hours, could bring home a significant income; however, the annual total will still lag behind full-time counterparts. Relief and locum veterinary positions are particularly lucrative, with rates often ranging from $90 to $140 per hour in general practices and going as high as $250 for specialists in emergency and surgical fields. Variation exists based on the type of practice; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer more standardized pay scales, while independent practices may negotiate differently. Some veterinarians may choose to accept lower hourly rates for employment benefits, contrasting with those who prioritize immediate higher wages. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local market and being prepared to discuss the benefits of different practice types in Memphis can make a significant difference in achieving desirable compensation.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 Memphis. 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