Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $64.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Nashville, TN runs $64.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,952 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Nashville, TN can expect a median hourly pay of $64.06, slightly below the national median of $66.03 as projected for 2026. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time veterinarians working three days a week in various settings—such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and university teaching hospitals—allowing them a solid financial footing while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly range spans from $52.88 for entry-level positions to $84.30 for top earners, highlighting the earning potential depending on experience and specialization. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these statistics provide essential insight into the profession's compensation landscape in Nashville.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.88 | $423.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.54 | $476.29 |
| Median (P50) | $64.06 | $512.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.98 | $647.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.30 | $674.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $64.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.06/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $133,254 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,877. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,562.57 | $11,104 | $133,254 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,537.54 | $6,663 | $79,952 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,025.03 | $4,442 | $53,302 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Nashville) | $64.06 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Nashville, TN earn a median of $133,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.98% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.60% above the Tennessee state average of $128,618.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.06/hr = $79,952/year (purchasing power: $82,991).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,254/year (purchasing power: $138,319).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Nashville grew 25.0% from $48.56/hr (2019) to $60.69/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.63/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
Considering the dynamics of the veterinary market in Nashville, part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week can earn significant income, with figures that vary greatly based on practice type and hours worked. The per diem veterinarian pay in Nashville particularly emphasizes this, with relief veterinarians often billing between $90 and $140 per hour in general practices. Specialty relief positions can command even higher rates, between $150 and $250. Additionally, hourly rates fluctuate according to employer type, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl making up a significant portion of the market; their practices may offer more structured hourly compensation alongside benefits. Independent practices might compensate less hourly but often provide health insurance options, making this an essential trade-off. Understanding these variables can help veterinarians negotiate effectively in Nashville's evolving job market, especially in times of corporate consolidation that impacts pay structures and career trajectories.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Nashville in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Nashville?
Are veterinarians in Nashville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Nashville?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Nashville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Nashville. 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