Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Lubbock, TX: $64.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Lubbock, TX runs $64.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,449 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Lubbock's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,071 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Lubbock, Texas, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $64.16 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $66.03. This compensation allows for diverse working arrangements; for example, those working part-time at three days a week can enjoy a flexible schedule while still earning a respectable income. In traditional settings like general practice clinics or surgical suites, the hourly wage varies significantly, ranging from $39.52 for entry-level positions to upwards of $91.51 for seasoned professionals or specialists. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the evolving veterinary landscape in Lubbock where practitioners can work across various environments, including university teaching hospitals and even pharmaceutical offices.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.52 | $316.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.75 | $413.96 |
| Median (P50) | $64.16 | $513.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.02 | $656.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.51 | $732.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lubbock
Based on $64.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.16/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lubbock, TX can expect to earn approximately $133,451 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,991. With a cost-of-living index of 91.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lubbock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lubbock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,566.37 | $11,121 | $133,451 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,539.82 | $6,673 | $80,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,026.55 | $4,448 | $53,381 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Lubbock) | $64.16 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Lubbock, TX earn a median of $133,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.83% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.20% above the Texas state average of $130,576.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.16/hr = $80,071/year (purchasing power: $87,685).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,451/year (purchasing power: $146,141).
CoL index: 91.317 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$69.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Lubbock grew -12.8% from $69.74/hr (2019) to $60.78/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.73/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
Part-time veterinarians can monetize their skills effectively by working just three days a week, bringing home a substantial income that may still fall short of full-time annual earnings. Per diem and locum tenens veterinarians, who often work flexibly across various practices, find even more lucrative opportunities—billing between $90-$140 per hour in general settings and commanding rates of $150-$250 for specialty work in surgery or emergency care. Hourly rates fluctuate based on the type of employer; corporate veterinary chains, which hold about 25% of the Lubbock market, may offer steadier salaries but can be lower than independent practices that provide more personalized care. While some veterinarians might accept a lower hourly rate for the benefits of health insurance and stability, others opt for higher pay without benefits due to the inherent flexibility. Therefore, negotiation is key—emphasizing professional credentials and local market demand can help secure a competitive rate in Lubbock's veterinarian hourly pay spectrum.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. 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