Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Baytown, TX: $62.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Baytown, TX runs $62.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,923 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Baytown's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,950 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baytown, TX, the veterinarian hourly pay averages $62.46, slightly below the national median of $66.03. This hourly rate provides a solid income for veterinarians working in diverse environments, whether in general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty referral hospitals. It also positions part-time professionals—those working three days a week—well above the minimum wage while allowing for a balanced work-life schedule. For those considering per-diem work, opportunities abound across various settings, including equine ambulatory practices and university clinics. The full hourly range reaches from $36.23 for entry-level positions to $96.82 for experienced practitioners, reflecting a diverse landscape where earnings can vary significantly based on specialization and practice type.
About the Baytown Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.23 | $289.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.92 | $375.37 |
| Median (P50) | $62.46 | $499.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.03 | $632.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.82 | $774.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baytown
Based on $62.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.46/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baytown, TX can expect to earn approximately $129,916 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,952. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baytown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baytown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,498.39 | $10,826 | $129,916 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,499.04 | $6,496 | $77,950 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $999.36 | $4,331 | $51,967 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Baytown) | $62.46 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Baytown, TX earn a median of $129,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.40% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.50% below the Texas state average of $130,576.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.46/hr = $77,950/year (purchasing power: $81,198).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,916/year (purchasing power: $135,330).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Baytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Baytown grew 36.3% from $43.42/hr (2019) to $59.17/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.93/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 Baytown 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 Baytown
Evaluating part-time earnings reveals that a veterinarian working a three-day week—approximately 24 hours—will earn about $79,253 annually at the median hourly rate, which is considerably less than their full-time counterparts who average closer to $130,000 annually. Relief veterinarians often capitalize on the escalating per diem veterinarian pay in Baytown, charging between $90 to $140 for standard general practice shifts, while more specialized roles can demand up to $250 an hour, particularly in emergency and critical care situations. Variances in pay also occur based on practice type; corporate chains may offer consistent salaries but often at lower rates compared to independent clinics, which might provide higher pay but fewer benefits. This context leads many veterinarians to weigh the trade-off between a higher hourly rate without health insurance and lower pay that includes comprehensive benefits. To secure better compensation, especially in an evolving corporate landscape, negotiators should focus on their unique skills and local demand when discussing pay packages with potential employers.
More salary data for Baytown, TX:
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 Baytown. 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 Baytown 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