At Roo, transparency is key. We believe that having the right information empowers you to make the best decisions for yourself. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing clear insights into the veterinary profession. It’s time for us to back up our words with data, helping veterinarians understand exactly what they can earn through Roo relief shifts.
To further assist you, we’ve developed a comprehensive Relief Veterinarian Salary Calculator. This tool allows you to estimate the number of shifts needed to reach your desired annual income, or project your annual earnings based on your planned relief shifts for the year. All calculations are based on average Roo rates in your specific location.
Calculate My Relief Veterinarian Salary
Our aim is to provide you with a clear understanding of the earning potential as a relief veterinarian in your city, or even in any Roo location you might be interested in exploring. If you have the necessary licenses (check out our multi-state veterinary license guide), we have the shifts available.
We’ve diligently analyzed the data, performed the calculations, and updated our information for 2024. We are committed to keeping this article updated annually to ensure you always have access to the most current figures. To accurately reflect current earning potential on Roo, the averages presented here are based on data from the last three months of 2024. Let’s get to the facts!
Veterinarian Average Hourly Wage by City – Roo vs Full Time
Comparison of Roo relief veterinarian hourly rates versus average full-time veterinarian hourly rates across various cities in the United States.
Understanding Veterinarian Salary Benchmarks
Before diving into relief veterinarian earnings, let’s establish some fundamental salary benchmarks for the veterinary profession:
- $65.63 per hour was the national mean hourly wage for veterinarians in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While statistically robust, these figures are not the most up-to-date.
- $79.58 per hour is ZipRecruiter’s estimate for the average hourly veterinarian wage as of December 2nd, 2024. This estimate is based on current job postings and other real-time data, providing a more current snapshot.
- $144 per hour is the average hourly wage for relief veterinarians on the Roo platform nationwide in 2024! This represents a significant increase from the $135 average hourly rate for Roo vets in 2023, demonstrating the growing demand and value placed on relief veterinary services.
These figures clearly indicate that working relief through Roo can potentially earn you 1.5 to 2 times more per hour compared to a traditional full-time position.
On average, a Roo veterinarian shift compensates $1,290 for a 9-hour workday. This daily rate is a notable increase from $1,238 in the previous year, highlighting the consistent upward trend in relief veterinarian compensation.
However, it’s important to consider the nuances of relief work, particularly regarding how your earnings are structured. Taxes are a primary factor. As a relief veterinarian working as an independent contractor with Roo, taxes are not automatically deducted from your pay. You receive the full gross amount, which can initially seem significantly larger than a traditional paycheck. It is crucial to proactively manage your tax obligations by setting aside a portion of your income for quarterly or annual tax payments. For comprehensive guidance on this, refer to our updated article on 1099 taxes for relief veterinarians.
While all figures mentioned, including ZipRecruiter’s full-time wages, are pre-tax, traditional full-time employment typically involves automatic tax deductions. With Roo, you have the autonomy to manage your finances directly. To assist you with tax preparation and financial planning, our Tax Center in Vet Concierge offers valuable resources and information to address your questions.
Another key aspect of relief work is flexibility. You have control over your work schedule, allowing you to tailor your professional life to your personal needs and financial goals.
Relief Veterinarian Salary Potential with Roo
How much can you realistically earn as a Roo veterinarian annually? The answer is largely dependent on your individual work preferences and availability.
Roo’s platform is designed to accommodate diverse work styles. Some veterinarians utilize Roo as their primary source of income, working full-time relief shifts. Others use Roo to supplement their income by taking on occasional shifts in addition to part-time or full-time employment elsewhere. This variability makes it challenging to define a single “average” relief veterinarian salary. However, we can illustrate the potential earning capacity:
To provide context, let’s revisit the average annual veterinarian salary benchmarks. ZipRecruiter estimates the average annual veterinarian salary in 2024 to be $165,527, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a figure of $136,301 for 2023. It’s important to note the BLS data’s lag, suggesting the current average is likely higher, making ZipRecruiter’s data a more timely comparison.
In 2024, top-performing relief veterinarians on the Roo platform have earned in excess of $300,000, with some exceptional earners exceeding $400,000! These figures underscore the significant earning potential for veterinarians who choose to engage with relief work on a full-time basis. These high earners likely work relief shifts consistently throughout the year. Let’s consider some additional factors relevant to full-time relief work.
Benefits and Coverage Considerations for Relief Veterinarians
When considering full-time relief work, it’s essential to acknowledge the differences in benefits compared to traditional employment. Associate veterinarians in clinics typically receive employer-sponsored health benefits. As a relief veterinarian working independently, you are responsible for securing your own health insurance. Roo offers resources to assist with this through our partnership with Stride Health.
Health insurance costs vary based on age and location. For example, a 30-year-old might expect to pay approximately $483 per month, while a 40-year-old could pay around $544 per month (according to Forbes), before any potential subsidies. Annually, this translates to roughly $5,000 – $7,000. While this is a cost to factor into your relief income, it represents a relatively small portion considering the significantly higher earning potential. With the average Roo shift paying $1,290, approximately 5 to 6 shifts could cover your annual healthcare expenses.
Professional liability and license defense insurance are highly recommended for relief veterinarians, although not mandated for Roo shifts. As an independent contractor, you are not covered under the hospital’s liability policy. Roo has partnered with AVMA PLIT to provide access to comprehensive coverage at competitive rates. A recommended plan encompassing both professional liability and license defense coverage is available for around $434 annually. This cost is equivalent to roughly one-third of the earnings from a single average Roo shift. Importantly, these plans extend coverage to any independent veterinary work you undertake, including volunteer and consulting roles.
While the direct responsibility for expenses like health insurance and professional liability may feel different from traditional employment where these are often handled by the employer, the increased earning potential of relief work often more than compensates for these costs. Proactive financial planning is key to managing these aspects of independent contracting effectively.
For veterinarians who prefer employer-provided benefits, combining part-time or full-time employment with supplemental relief shifts through Roo offers a balanced approach. This strategy allows you to maintain benefits while boosting your income and enjoying greater schedule flexibility.
Work-Life Balance and Earning Potential
One of the significant advantages of relief veterinary work is the flexibility to control your work schedule. This allows you to prioritize work-life balance while still achieving your desired income level.
The higher hourly rates offered by Roo mean you can potentially earn the equivalent of a full-time salary while working fewer hours and having more time off. Earning nearly double the hourly rate effectively means you need to work approximately half the hours to achieve the same income compared to a lower-paying position.
Ultimately, the “annual salary” of a Roo veterinarian is a personalized figure, determined by your work choices and priorities. While financial earnings are a factor, Roo also emphasizes the importance of veterinarian well-being and job satisfaction.
Geographic Variations in Relief Veterinarian Pay
To provide more localized insights, let’s examine how relief veterinarian pay varies across different cities. The graph above illustrates these geographic differences.
Breaking down the data by city reveals the specific earning potential in your area and how Roo relief rates compare to full-time veterinarian salaries locally. We’ve used ZipRecruiter’s data for full-time salary comparisons to provide a more current market perspective.
Currently, New York City leads with the highest average hourly rate for relief veterinarians at $176 per hour. Los Angeles and Philadelphia follow closely with average hourly rates of $173 and $172, respectively.
Notably, New Jersey exhibits the highest state-wide average rate at $179 per hour, indicating strong demand and competitive pay within the tri-state region.
These figures are averages, and actual shift rates can vary. To view precise rates for available shifts in your area, sign up for Roo or log in to your account. We provide detailed shift information, including duration and appointment expectations, to ensure transparency and empower you with the knowledge you need.
The data presented includes boosted shift prices, which offer even higher rates for shifts with urgent staffing needs. These premium shifts can exceed $2,000 per shift, presenting opportunities for maximizing your earnings. Full-time veterinarian wages can also fluctuate based on experience, specialization, and the specific hospital setting.
For veterinarians considering traveling relief work, the city-specific data provides valuable insights into earning potential in different locations. However, we recommend prioritizing destinations that align with your personal interests, as cost of living adjustments often correlate with pay rates, creating a degree of financial equilibrium across locations.
Relief Veterinarians: Earning More, Potentially Working Less
The data consistently demonstrates the strong demand for relief veterinarians, reflected in their competitive compensation. Relief services address a critical need for hospitals, justifying the premium pay rates often seen in relief work. In many cities, Roo relief veterinarians can earn nearly double the hourly wage of their full-time counterparts.
Ultimately, relief work offers flexibility and earning potential that can be tailored to individual needs and career goals. For some, Roo can be a tool to accelerate student loan repayment or build savings while maintaining the stability of a full-time job with benefits. For others, relief work represents a pathway to greater autonomy, higher earnings, and improved work-life balance, albeit with the responsibilities of independent contractor status.
The choice is yours. Roo is here to support you in navigating your veterinary career path and achieving your professional and personal goals.
Originally Posted 12/18/23
