One of the first questions new (and even seasoned) relief veterinarians ask is: What should I charge?
Honestly, it’s a fair question. Rates for relief work are all over the place. Some clinics offer hourly pay; others want a flat daily rate. Then there’s the temptation to undercharge when you’re just starting out or to keep your old rate even though your expenses and skill level have changed.
But here’s the truth: you can’t build a sustainable relief business if you don’t know your numbers.
Setting your rate isn’t about copying what someone else is charging or guessing what a clinic can afford. It’s about understanding what you need to earn to support the life and career you actually want.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Start with Your Real-Life Budget
Before you figure out what to charge per shift or hour, you need to know what you’re trying to cover. That means starting with two budgets: your personal life and your business.
Build a realistic personal budget that includes:
- Rent or mortgage
- Groceries and gas
- Loan payments and other debts
- Insurance
- Savings goals
- Vacations or time off
- Everything else you need to live your version of a good life
Next, add in your business expenses. Relief vets don’t have an employer covering the extras anymore, so include things like:
- State license fees
- DEA registration
- CE costs
- Liability and health insurance
- Professional memberships
- Gear and supplies
Add both numbers together to figure out what you really need to bring in each month to maintain your current lifestyle.
Step 2: Calculate Your Gross Income Target
Once you know your total monthly expenses, you’ll need to work backward to figure out how much you should be making before taxes and deductions.
Here’s a simple rule of thumb: plan to keep about 60% of your gross income. The rest will go to taxes, overhead, and business costs.
So, if your total personal and business expenses are $8,000 per month:
Gross Monthly Goal = $8,000 ÷ 0.60 = $13,333
You’ll need to earn around $13,333 per month before taxes to bring home your target.
Step 3: Decide How Much You Want to Work
This is where relief work really shines. You can tailor your schedule around your life… but only if your rates support that choice.
Let’s say you want to work four 8-hour days per week:
- That’s about 32 hours per week
- Divide your gross monthly goal by 4 weeks = $3,333/week
- Then divide that by 32 hours = $104/hour
In this example, your minimum rate needs to be $104/hour just to meet your baseline needs.
If you’re charging $85/hour and working yourself into the ground, it’s not because relief work isn’t viable. It’s because your numbers aren’t lining up.
Step 4: Compare Rates in Your Area
Now that you know your minimum, do a reality check. What are other relief vets charging in your region? Ask colleagues you trust. Look at Hound (formerly Relief Rover). Join Facebook groups. And be honest about your experience level and the type of work you’re doing.
Here’s a ballpark from my region (Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati) in 2025:
- GP Relief: $100–125/hour
- Urgent Care/ER: $150–200/hour
- After-hours or holidays: Often higher, depending on demand
If your calculated rate is too far off from what clinics are paying, you have two choices: adjust your schedule (work more hours or different types of shifts), or reduce expenses. But don’t default to undercharging out of fear. Confidence comes from knowing the “why” behind your rate.
Step 5: Revisit and Adjust as You Grow
Your rate doesn’t have to be permanent. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Life changes. Expenses change. Your skills improve. Maybe you start offering specialty services or take on weekend shifts.
Make it a habit to revisit your budget and rate at least once a year. You might need to raise your rates as you become more in demand, scale back your hours to prevent burnout, or as you pursue other projects and “side quests.”
Protect your time, your energy, and your worth. That’s the whole point of relief work in the first place.
Want More Guidance Like This?
This post is just a sneak peek of what’s inside my upcoming ebook for relief veterinarians, “Freedom, Not Frenzy: The Relief Vet’s Survival and Success Manual,” which will be available later this year! If you found this breakdown helpful, you’re going to love the full guide.
The book covers:
- How to set your schedule with intention
- The Pros and Cons of being an independent relief veterinarian
- If you are the type of person who will thrive in relief practice (hint: probably!)
- Boundaries, contracts, and business basics
- Real-life wisdom examples from my own relief journey
📬 Want early access and updates when the ebook drops?
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You deserve a career that works for you: not the other way around.
And it all starts with knowing your worth.