Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Corpus Christi, TX: $64.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Corpus Christi, TX runs $64.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,153 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Corpus Christi's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,900 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected hourly median pay of $64.02 for veterinarians in Corpus Christi, TX, the local market presents a competitive yet slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $66.03. This hourly rate captures the earnings potential for part-time professionals and per-diem workers, who often find opportunities in various settings, including general practice exam rooms, specialty surgical suites, and equine care. The hourly compensation for entry-level veterinarians starts around $40.18, but experienced practitioners can earn up to $97.62 per hour. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data underscores the financial outlook for this profession, further indicating potential for income growth as demand for veterinary services continues to rise.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.18 | $321.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.13 | $425.03 |
| Median (P50) | $64.02 | $512.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.45 | $651.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.62 | $780.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Corpus Christi
Based on $64.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.02/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Corpus Christi, TX can expect to earn approximately $133,166 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,827. With a cost-of-living index of 92.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Corpus Christi.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Corpus Christi
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,560.89 | $11,097 | $133,166 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,536.53 | $6,658 | $79,900 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,024.35 | $4,439 | $53,266 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Corpus Christi) | $64.02 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Corpus Christi, TX earn a median of $133,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.04% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% above the Texas state average of $130,543.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.02/hr = $79,900/year (purchasing power: $86,219).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,166/year (purchasing power: $143,698).
CoL index: 92.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Corpus Christi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Corpus Christi grew 9.3% from $55.50/hr (2019) to $60.65/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.58/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 Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi
When examining part-time earnings, a veterinarian working three days a week (24 hours) can take home about $79,895 annually, which differs significantly from their full-time counterparts. Per diem or locum veterinarians, often filling in during peak demand periods, can charge between $90-$140 per hour in general practices, with specialty relief positions commanding even higher rates, ranging from $150-$250 per hour. It’s common for weekend emergency shifts at understaffed clinics to offer $150-$200 per hour to attract qualified professionals. Hourly rates can fluctuate depending on whether veterinarians work in corporate practices, independent clinics, or specialty hospitals in Corpus Christi, with larger chains potentially offering benefits that justify lower pay scales. For those negotiating their hourly rate, understanding the trade-offs between pay and benefits is key, particularly in a market influenced by corporate consolidation trends, which impact partnership opportunities and compensation models in the field.
More salary data for Corpus Christi, 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 Corpus Christi. 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