Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Oak Ridge, TN: $60.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Oak Ridge, TN runs $60.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,219 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Oak Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,737 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Oak Ridge, TN, can expect a median hourly rate of $60.69 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $66.03. This rate offers a practical financial framework for those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week in various settings like general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or even equine ambulatory truck visits. For per diem opportunities, hourly compensation typically falls within the estimated hourly range, from $35.19 for entry-level roles to $94.05 for the top earners in the area. These estimates stem from annual salary data, which reflects the broad spectrum of working hours and shifts available to veterinarians, impacting overall work-life balance and lifestyle in Oak Ridge.
About the Oak Ridge 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) | $35.19 | $281.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.75 | $374.02 |
| Median (P50) | $60.69 | $485.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.08 | $608.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.05 | $752.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Ridge
Based on $60.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.69/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Ridge, TN can expect to earn approximately $126,228 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,824. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,427.46 | $10,519 | $126,228 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,456.47 | $6,311 | $75,737 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $970.98 | $4,208 | $50,491 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Oak Ridge) | $60.69 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $126,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $128,664.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.69/hr = $75,737/year (purchasing power: $82,502).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,228/year (purchasing power: $137,503).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Oak Ridge grew 36.3% from $42.18/hr (2019) to $57.49/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.06/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 Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
Part-time veterinarians working 24 hours a week can expect their annual earnings to differ significantly from full-time counterparts, largely due to the fluctuating nature of per diem veterinarian pay in Oak Ridge. Relief veterinarians often charge between $90 and $140 per hour, especially within general practice, while specialty relief roles can command even higher rates ranging from $150 to $250 per hour, depending on the demand and the specialty required. Compensation can vary notably among employer types; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl might offer more stability but often come with lower hourly rates compared to independent practices that might provide more negotiating power. Additionally, the choice between higher hourly pay without benefits versus lower rates with health insurance is a critical aspect of career considerations for many veterinarians. Understanding these dynamics is essential for negotiating terms that align with one's financial and professional goals, particularly in a changing industry marked by corporate consolidation and evolving compensation structures.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge. 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 Oak Ridge 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