Relief Vet Salary: How Much Can You Earn and What Affects Your Earnings?

The answer might surprise you!
Being a relief vet has its perks—flexibility, variety in cases, and the potential to earn a great income. But just how much can you make, and what factors influence your relief vet salary? Let’s break it down so you have a clear picture of what to expect.

How Much Can Relief Vets Earn?

As a relief vet, you’re likely to earn anywhere from $75 to $125 per hour. With full-time hours, that can translate into $150,000 to $200,000+ annually. Of course, how much you actually bring home depends on several factors, but even part-time shifts can lead to impressive earnings. This data comes from a mix of industry reports, including surveys from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), so it’s a reliable guide.

Factors That Influence Relief Vet Salary

Several factors come into play when determining how much you can earn as a relief vet. And while FlexVet Staffing handles most of the legwork, it’s helpful to know what to expect so you can make informed decisions about which assignments to take on. Here are some of the key influencers:
Location
Where you choose to work plays a huge role in your earnings. Some areas are more competitive and pay higher rates because the demand for relief vets is greater.

• California: High-demand areas like Los Angeles or San Francisco often pay up to $140 per hour.
• New York City: Clinics in the city or nearby suburbs frequently offer $130 per hour or more.
• Florida: Relief vets in Miami or Orlando earn an average of around $120 per hour, with some seasonal variation.
• Texas: Austin and Houston clinics offer competitive rates, typically around $125 per hour.
• Washington D.C.: Rates in this region can reach $130 per hour, especially in larger clinics or hospitals.

Top-paying regions for relief vets across the U.S.

Specialized Fields and Higher Salary Rates

If you’ve specialized in certain fields, you can expect to earn even more. Specialists in areas like emergency care, surgery, or oncology tend to get paid premium rates because their expertise is in high demand. For example:

• Emergency and Critical Care: Up to $150 or more per hour.
• Surgery: Surgeons can command $160 per hour or higher for complex procedures.
• Internal Medicine: Specialists in this field typically earn around $140 to $150 per hour.
• Oncology: Veterinary oncologists frequently see rates around $150 per hour.

The Impact of Shift Types on Salary

Relief vets willing to take on night, weekend, or holiday shifts often see an increase in their pay rates. Emergency shifts, in particular, come with a significant bump in compensation due to the urgency and intensity of the work. Plus, many clinics offer higher rates for peak hours when it’s harder to find coverage.

The Role of Clinic Type and Size

Not all clinics pay equally. Emergency or specialty hospitals tend to offer higher rates than general practices because of the complexity of the cases they handle. Larger, busier clinics or hospitals that see a high volume of patients can also lead to a higher relief vet salary.

A Look at Taxes as a Relief Vet

Now, it’s not just about the hourly rate—you also need to consider taxes and benefits. Most relief vets work as 1099 independent contractors, meaning you’re responsible for your own taxes, including self-employment taxes. This can be a bit different from traditional employment, where your employer takes care of these deductions for you.
As a 1099 worker, you’ll want to set aside around 15% of your income for self-employment taxes, which covers Social Security and Medicare. It’s also important to keep track of your expenses, as you can deduct certain costs associated with your work—like travel, equipment, and even professional development—when filing your taxes.

How FlexVet Staffing Maximizes Your Earnings

At FlexVet Staffing, we’re not just here to find you shifts. We take care of everything—from negotiating top rates to securing assignments that align with your availability and preferences. Whether you want to work a couple of shifts a week or fill up your calendar, we’ve got your back.
Here’s how we help you maximize your relief vet salary:

• Top-Notch Pay: We negotiate your pay for you, ensuring you’re getting competitive rates that reflect your experience and specialization.
• Benefits Package: If you work full-time, you’re not missing out on benefits—health insurance, paid vacation, and more are all included.
• No Paperwork Stress: We handle the contracts, scheduling, and any other admin tasks, so you can focus on what you do best—caring for animals.

Conclusion: The Potential for Lucrative Earnings as a Relief Vet

Working as a relief vet offers not just flexibility but also the chance to earn a solid income, depending on where and how you choose to work. Many relief vets enjoy the freedom to set their own schedules, allowing them to balance work with personal interests and family time. It’s a win-win situation!
Relief vet salary typically ranges from $75 to $140 per hour, but that can vary based on location, the type of work, and your area of specialization. So, there’s definitely potential for a lucrative paycheck if you know where to look.

But finding those opportunities and negotiating the best pay can feel a bit overwhelming. That’s where FlexVet Staffing steps in. We take the hassle out of the job search by connecting you with clinics that value your skills and expertise. Our team handles the negotiations, ensuring you get the pay you deserve. With FlexVet Staffing managing the details, you can focus on what you love—caring for animals and making a difference.

States with the highest hourly pay rates for relief veterinarians.

Related Blogs:

• Battling Burnout in the Veterinary Field – Learn how to manage stress and prevent burnout while working as a relief vet.
• Pet Parents Effective Communication Tips – Effective communication strategies that make a difference in the relief vet role.