Veterinarian Hourly Pay in SeaTac, WA: $78.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in SeaTac, WA runs $78.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $163,834 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against SeaTac's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,304 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in SeaTac, Washington can expect a median hourly pay of $78.77, significantly higher than the national median of $66.03 per hour. This elevated hourly rate reflects the demand for veterinary services in the area, allowing professionals to potentially earn substantial income even in part-time arrangements. For instance, a veterinarian working three days a week might still manage a respectable income while enjoying a flexible schedule. Per-diem roles in various settings, such as general practice clinics, surgical suites, and specialty hospitals, can see hourly rates range between $45.69 at the lower end of the spectrum and up to $122.09 for top earners. Such opportunities are appealing across different environments, from routine check-ups to complex surgical procedures, demonstrating the versatility in this field while offering a compensation structure rooted in hourly earnings rather than fixed salaries.
About the SeaTac Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.69 | $365.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.57 | $484.56 |
| Median (P50) | $78.77 | $630.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.94 | $775.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122.09 | $976.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in SeaTac
Based on $78.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.77/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in SeaTac, WA can expect to earn approximately $163,839 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,523. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in SeaTac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in SeaTac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,150.75 | $13,653 | $163,839 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,890.45 | $8,192 | $98,304 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,260.30 | $5,461 | $65,536 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (SeaTac) | $78.77 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in SeaTac, WA earn a median of $163,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.30% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $167,178.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.77/hr = $98,304/year (purchasing power: $91,530).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $163,839/year (purchasing power: $152,551).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in SeaTac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in SeaTac grew 36.3% from $54.75/hr (2019) to $74.62/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.15/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 SeaTac 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 SeaTac
Part-time veterinarians in SeaTac who work 24 hours a week can anticipate an annual income that reflects their reduced hours, but it can still range significantly based on their caseload and employer type. Those engaging in per diem or locum tenens work often see rates that can climb as high as $140 per hour in general practices and specialty relief positions commanding even higher rates. For example, emergency coverage in understaffed clinics frequently offers competitive pay between $150 and $200 per hour. It's essential to recognize that hourly pay varies widely depending on the employer, with corporate practices possibly providing more extensive benefits while independent clinics may offer higher pay rates. Thus, negotiating salary packages that account for health insurance and additional perks versus pure hourly pay is vital. Understanding the market and articulating one's worth will benefit veterinarians seeking to maximize their earnings in this evolving landscape of veterinary employment in SeaTac.
More salary data for SeaTac, WA:
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 SeaTac. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for SeaTac is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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