Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $66.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Burlington, VT runs $66.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,149 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $66.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,496 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at a competitive median of $66.90, slightly exceeding the national median of $66.03. This hourly rate provides a strong earning potential for veterinarians working part-time or in per-diem positions. For those operating three days a week, a typical work schedule of about 24 hours could yield impressive compensation in clinical environments such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. Entry-level veterinarians can expect to start at around $47.19, while top earners can bill up to $109.97 per hour. This data reflects projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating a robust environment for veterinary professionals in Burlington, given the diverse employment settings ranging from equine practices to pharmaceutical industry roles.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.19 | $377.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.26 | $402.06 |
| Median (P50) | $66.90 | $535.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.02 | $744.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.97 | $879.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $66.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.90/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $139,160 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,285. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,676.16 | $11,597 | $139,160 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,605.69 | $6,958 | $83,496 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,070.46 | $4,639 | $55,664 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Burlington) | $66.90 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Burlington, VT earn a median of $139,149 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.32% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.10% below the Vermont state average of $142,134.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.90/hr = $83,496/year (purchasing power: $82,711).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,160/year (purchasing power: $137,852).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $79.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Burlington grew 53.1% from $41.40/hr (2019) to $63.38/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.62/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Considering part-time veterinarians in Burlington, a practitioner working 24 hours weekly could anticipate a significant annual income, aligning with the city's robust compensation trends versus working full-time. Per diem veterinarians often find lucrative billing rates, especially in relief roles; general practices may offer rates of $90-$140 per hour, escalating to $150-$250 for specialty services like surgery or emergency care. The variation in hourly pay across different types of employers is pronounced—corporate chains often offer stable benefits at a slightly lower rate compared to independent clinics, which might pay more but lack comprehensive health insurance. Furthermore, it’s crucial for veterinarians to assess their priorities when weighing hourly wages against benefits. As the veterinary field continues to evolve with corporate consolidation, understanding these compensation dynamics is key. Effective negotiation tactics can enhance earning potential, especially in a competitive market like Burlington, VT, where talent is in high demand.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 Burlington. 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, 5-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