Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Dallas, TX: $67.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Dallas, TX runs $67.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,975 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Dallas's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.1, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,590 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dallas, TX, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $67.78 in 2026, which represents a slight increase over the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This hourly rate offers significant earning potential for veterinarians working part-time schedules, such as those committing three days a week, as well as for per-diem workers engaged in diverse settings—from general practice exam rooms and surgical suites to equine ambulatory work and university clinics. Entry-level veterinarians may earn around $43.48 hourly, while more experienced professionals can see pay soar to approximately $106.17, reflecting a wide-ranging salary structure that allows for compensation flexibility informed by experience and specific practice types. These figures are reflective of the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, which provides a framework for understanding veterinary compensation in various practice environments across Dallas.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.48 | $347.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.91 | $487.26 |
| Median (P50) | $67.78 | $542.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.02 | $672.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.17 | $849.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dallas
Based on $67.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.78/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dallas, TX can expect to earn approximately $140,983 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,336. With a cost-of-living index of 103.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Dallas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dallas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,711.20 | $11,749 | $140,983 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,626.72 | $7,049 | $84,590 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,084.48 | $4,699 | $56,393 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Dallas) | $67.78 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Dallas, TX earn a median of $140,975 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 8.00% above the Texas state average of $130,533.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.78/hr = $84,590/year (purchasing power: $82,054).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,983/year (purchasing power: $136,757).
CoL index: 103.09 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Dallas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Dallas grew 37.0% from $46.86/hr (2019) to $64.21/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.55/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 Dallas 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 Dallas
For veterinarians opting for part-time positions in Dallas, a typical schedule of three days per week amounts to about 24 hours, leading to an annual take-home income significantly lower than full-time counterparts but still competitive given the flexibility it affords. Per diem veterinarians frequently command higher hourly rates; in standard general practices, compensation can range from $90 to $140 per hour, while specialty relief veterinarians are often paid between $150 and $250 per hour. Weekend emergency shifts at clinics might reach $150 to $200 per hour, highlighting the varying opportunities based on demand. Hourly rates differ across practice settings, with corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl offering competitive benefits but potentially lower hourly rates compared to independent practices or specialty hospitals that may reward higher earners with greater pay but limited benefits. Thus, when negotiating compensation in Dallas, it is vital for veterinarians to consider not just the hourly pay, but also the benefits package, especially in a job market shaped by corporate consolidation trends affecting practice ownership and salary structures.
More salary data for Dallas, 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 Dallas. 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