Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $58.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Madison, WI runs $58.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,616 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,970 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the veterinarian hourly pay stands at a median rate of $58.47, notably lower than the national median of $66.03. This figure indicates that while local veterinarians receive competitive pay within the state, they are trailing behind their counterparts in many other regions. For part-time veterinarians, those working around three days a week can expect a significant annual income, albeit reflecting a reduced earning potential compared to full-time positions. The hourly rate also spans a range from $41.65 for entry-level positions to $82.15 for experienced veterinarians, shedding light on the disparities based on experience and practice setting, whether it be general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty facilities. This official data from 2025 BLS projections to 2026 paints a clear picture of the current landscape for veterinarians in Madison.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.65 | $333.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.47 | $411.77 |
| Median (P50) | $58.47 | $467.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.05 | $584.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.15 | $657.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $58.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.47/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $121,617 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,164. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,338.79 | $10,135 | $121,617 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,403.27 | $6,081 | $72,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $935.51 | $4,054 | $48,647 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Madison) | $58.47 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Madison, WI earn a median of $121,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $113,979.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.47/hr = $72,970/year (purchasing power: $75,005).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,617/year (purchasing power: $125,008).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+66.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Madison grew 49.4% from $37.08/hr (2019) to $55.39/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.72/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 Madison 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 Madison
Looking further into the earning potential for veterinarians not in traditional full-time roles, a part-time veterinarian working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home a solid income but will be significantly lower compared to those in full-time roles. Relief or locum veterinarians often benefit from enhanced pay, with rates ranging from $90 to $140 per hour for general practices, while specialty roles can command even higher rates of $150 to $250 per hour. In the Madison area, hourly rates can vary widely depending on employment type; corporate chains may offer different scales compared to independent practices, with factors like health insurance and benefits influencing decisions. Some veterinarians might opt for lower hourly compensation in exchange for the security of health benefits, illustrating a typical trade-off in the profession. Negotiating pay can be beneficial, especially for those considering shifts in employment types, whether moving to a specialty field, joining corporate entities, or providing relief services across the diverse veterinary market in Wisconsin.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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 Madison. 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