Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Eau Claire, WI: $55.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Eau Claire, WI runs $55.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,243 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Eau Claire's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,743 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, can expect an hourly median pay of $55.88, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $66.03. This difference highlights the regional economic dynamics, offering insight into the earning potential for veterinarians working in various environments, including general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, and specialty referral hospitals. The hourly pay range for veterinarians in Eau Claire spans from $40.68 at entry-level positions to approximately $73.72 for the top earners. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the local market’s demand for veterinarian services and the competitive landscape influenced by regional cost-of-living factors.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.68 | $325.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.75 | $406.03 |
| Median (P50) | $55.88 | $447.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.61 | $524.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.72 | $589.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Eau Claire
Based on $55.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.88/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Eau Claire, WI can expect to earn approximately $116,238 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,060. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Eau Claire.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Eau Claire
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,235.34 | $9,686 | $116,238 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,341.20 | $5,812 | $69,743 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $894.14 | $3,875 | $46,495 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Eau Claire) | $55.88 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $116,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.36% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $113,963.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.88/hr = $69,743/year (purchasing power: $75,157).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,238/year (purchasing power: $125,261).
CoL index: 92.796 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Eau Claire grew 21.2% from $43.67/hr (2019) to $52.94/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.99/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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire
Veterinarians working part-time, for instance, those on a 3-day workweek schedule putting in about 24 hours, would have significantly different earning dynamics compared to full-time colleagues. A part-time veterinarian's income can vary, often resulting in annual take-home figures that could be lower than their full-time counterparts, depending on the setup and client base. Per-diem veterinarian pay in Eau Claire can add another layer of complexity, with relief veterinarians often commanding rates between $90 and $140/hr in general practices, while specialty relief work, covering areas like surgery or emergency care, may fetch as much as $150-$250/hr. As hourly rates can also be influenced by employment types—be it corporate structures like VCA or independent practices—veterinarians may face a trade-off between higher hourly wages devoid of benefits or lower hourly rates with added health insurance. For those negotiating their pay, understanding these nuances and articulating their value clearly can be crucial in achieving favorable compensation terms in this evolving market.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Eau Claire in 2026?
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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 Eau Claire. 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