Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Winchester, VA: $60.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Winchester, VA runs $60.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Winchester's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,262 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winchester, Virginia, the veterinarian hourly pay is positioned at a median rate of $60.31, which is below the national median of $66.03. This difference reflects local market conditions that might appeal to those considering part-time roles or per-diem opportunities. A veterinarian working three days a week, for example, could earn a competitive wage while maintaining a balanced schedule in a variety of clinical settings, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. The hourly pay range stretches from $38.05 for entry-level positions to as much as $105.24 for experienced veterinarians, allowing for substantial earnings potential over the course of a career. This data, part of the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflects the diverse nature of the field and the variety of roles available to veterinarians in Winchester.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.05 | $304.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.56 | $372.50 |
| Median (P50) | $60.31 | $482.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.33 | $658.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.24 | $841.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winchester
Based on $60.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.31/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winchester, VA can expect to earn approximately $125,437 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,368. With a cost-of-living index of 96.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winchester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winchester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,412.26 | $10,453 | $125,437 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,447.35 | $6,272 | $75,262 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $964.90 | $4,181 | $50,175 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Winchester) | $60.31 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Winchester, VA earn a median of $125,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.66% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.00% below the Virginia state average of $126,704.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.31/hr = $75,262/year (purchasing power: $78,033).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,437/year (purchasing power: $130,054).
CoL index: 96.45 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+66.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Winchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Winchester grew 49.7% from $38.16/hr (2019) to $57.13/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.66/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 Winchester 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 Winchester
Veterinarians working part-time in Winchester can earn significantly less annually compared to those in full-time positions, but the flexibility can be appealing. A veterinarian working 24 hours a week would see income that reflects a lower overall annual total, yet the trade-off comes with greater work-life balance. Per diem and locum tenens veterinarians can command higher hourly rates, often billing between $90 to $140 in general practices, with specialty relief for surgery and emergency care offering even more lucrative pay at $150-$250/hr. Hourly rates can vary based on the type of employer, with corporate practices employing structured pay scales that may offer benefits, while independent clinics could provide lower hourly rates but greater flexibility in work conditions. It's crucial for veterinarians in Winchester to understand the value of benefits versus higher hourly pay without them, and consider negotiating attitudes specific to the local market, ensuring their compensation reflects their skills and the demands of their immediate healthcare environments.
More salary data for Winchester, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Winchester in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Winchester?
Are veterinarians in Winchester paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Winchester?
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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 Winchester. 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