Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Killeen, TX: $62.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Killeen, TX runs $62.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,250 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Killeen's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,148 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Killeen, Texas, veterinarians earn a median hourly pay of $62.62. This figure slightly lags behind the national median hourly rate of $66.03, reflecting regional variations in compensation. The hourly compensation presents viable options for part-time and per-diem veterinarians working in settings ranging from general practice examination rooms to specialty referral hospitals and university teaching clinics. For those engaged in part-time work, a typical schedule of three days a week can generate consistent income while maintaining flexibility. Entry-level veterinarians in Killeen may start at around $40.03 per hour, while top earners can receive as much as $102.72, illustrating a considerable range that depends on expertise and the specific practice environment.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.03 | $320.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.05 | $432.37 |
| Median (P50) | $62.62 | $500.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.96 | $687.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.72 | $821.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Killeen
Based on $62.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.62/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Killeen, TX can expect to earn approximately $130,246 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,142. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Killeen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Killeen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,504.73 | $10,854 | $130,246 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,502.84 | $6,512 | $78,148 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,001.89 | $4,342 | $52,098 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Killeen) | $62.62 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Killeen, TX earn a median of $130,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.16% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $130,642.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.62/hr = $78,148/year (purchasing power: $85,752).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,246/year (purchasing power: $142,920).
CoL index: 91.132 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Killeen grew 27.4% from $46.56/hr (2019) to $59.32/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.10/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 Killeen 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 Killeen
The part-time earning potential for veterinary professionals in Killeen can be particularly attractive. Working 24 hours a week translates into a supplementary income that can be quite significant when calculated annually, particularly for those who opt for per-diem roles. The per diem veterinarian pay in Killeen can be exceptional; professionals working relief assignments often command rates between $90 and $140 per hour in general practice, while specialty relief roles can see rates escalate to $150-$250 per hour. This variation often reflects the differing financial structures of various employer types. For instance, corporate chains may offer more stable but lower hourly rates compared to independent practices, which might provide greater flexibility and higher pay. Veterinarians need to balance the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and more stable compensation packages that include health insurance. Those in Killeen should sharpen their negotiation strategies to capitalize on the market's dynamics, taking into consideration their individual career paths and desired work-life balance in the context of the industry's ongoing changes.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 Killeen. 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