Money isn't the only reason vets move into locum work, but it's a significant one. Locum vets and veterinary nurses in the UK typically earn more per day than their permanently employed counterparts — though the picture is more nuanced than a simple rate comparison might suggest.
This guide breaks down current locum pay rates across the UK in 2026, covering different species types, regional variations, and the factors that influence what you can realistically expect to earn. Whether you're considering the move to locuming, benchmarking your current rates, or setting rates as a practice, this should give you a clear picture of where the market stands.
Locum Vet Day Rates by Species
Day rates for locum vets vary considerably depending on the species you work with. The following ranges represent typical day rates for standard weekday shifts in 2026, based on market data from across the UK.
Small Animal
- Typical day rate: £400 — £600
- Average: approximately £480 — £520
Small animal work represents the largest share of the UK locum market. The wide range reflects the difference between straightforward consulting-only days at the lower end and shifts involving a full surgical list at the upper end. Experience level also plays a role — a locum with 15 years of surgical experience will command more than someone two years post-qualification.
Equine
- Typical day rate: £500 — £700
- Average: approximately £570 — £620
Equine locum rates tend to sit higher than small animal, reflecting the specialist nature of the work and the smaller pool of available equine locums. Rates at the upper end are common for vets with specific expertise in areas like advanced lameness diagnostics, equine dentistry, or stud medicine. Travel requirements and on-call expectations can also push rates upward.
Farm Animal
- Typical day rate: £450 — £650
- Average: approximately £500 — £560
Farm animal locum work is concentrated in rural areas where the demand-supply balance often favours the locum. TB testing days tend to sit at the lower end of the range, while mixed farm work involving calvings, caesareans, and fertility visits commands higher rates. The seasonal nature of some farm work (lambing, spring fertility) can create temporary spikes in demand and rates.
Mixed Practice
- Typical day rate: £420 — £600
- Average: approximately £470 — £530
Mixed practice locum work — seeing a combination of small animals and farm animals in the same day — is common in rural areas. Rates tend to sit between the small animal and farm animal ranges. The ability to handle both competently is valued, and locums comfortable across species have access to a wider pool of shifts.
Exotic and Specialist
- Typical day rate: £500 — £750+
- Average: varies significantly
Specialist locum work is a smaller market, but rates reflect the scarcity of qualified individuals. Vets with genuine expertise in exotic species, emergency and critical care, ophthalmology, or other specialist areas can command premium rates, particularly in underserved regions.
Veterinary Nurse Locum Rates
Locum veterinary nurses (RVNs) are in increasingly strong demand. Rates have risen notably over the past few years as practices compete for qualified nursing cover.
- Typical day rate: £200 — £350
- Average: approximately £240 — £280
The range reflects differences in experience, clinical skills, and the type of work involved. Nurses with additional qualifications (anaesthesia, emergency nursing, surgical nursing) or those willing to take on head nurse responsibilities can command rates at the higher end.
Night shifts and weekend rates for veterinary nurses typically attract a premium of 20-40% above standard day rates.
Regional Variations
Where you work in the UK has a meaningful impact on locum rates. The picture is more complex than a simple north-south divide.
London and the South East
London and the surrounding Home Counties tend to offer the highest day rates in the UK. Small animal locum rates of £500-£600 are common in Greater London, reflecting both the higher cost of living and the intense competition for locum cover in the capital.
However, the picture isn't straightforward. London locums face higher commuting costs, congestion charges, and the sheer time cost of navigating the city. A £550 day rate in central London might net less in practice than a £480 rate in a market town with free parking and a 20-minute commute.
South West and Wales
The South West and rural Wales represent a strong market for farm and mixed practice locums. Rates can be competitive, particularly during lambing season and for practices in more remote areas where locum supply is limited. Small animal rates in cities like Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter are broadly comparable to national averages.
Midlands
The Midlands represents a large and diverse market. Urban practices in Birmingham, Leicester, and Nottingham offer competitive rates, while rural Shropshire, Herefordshire, and the Peak District provide steady demand for farm and mixed locums.
North of England
Rates in the North of England are often slightly below the South East but the cost of living difference means your take-home purchasing power may be comparable or better. The Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, and rural Northumberland have consistent demand for farm locums.
Scotland
Scotland has its own distinct locum market. The Central Belt (Glasgow and Edinburgh) offers rates comparable to English cities, while the Highlands and Islands represent some of the most challenging-to-fill locum positions in the UK — and rates reflect this. Practices in remote Scottish locations sometimes offer accommodation alongside competitive day rates to attract locums.
Northern Ireland
A smaller market but with steady demand, particularly in mixed practice. Rates tend to be slightly below the UK average but the cost of living is also lower.
Factors That Influence Your Rate
Beyond species and geography, several factors determine where your rate falls within the ranges above.
Experience
This is the single biggest factor. A vet with 10+ years of experience, a proven track record, and strong clinical skills will command rates at or above the top of the range. Newly qualified or recently qualified vets will typically start at or below the average.
Experience isn't just about years — it's about demonstrated competence. A vet who is confident handling a full surgical list and managing complex medical cases independently is worth more to a practice than someone who needs regular support.
Urgency
Shifts that need filling at short notice — particularly within 48 hours — routinely command premium rates. A practice that has a vet call in sick on Monday morning and needs cover for Tuesday is in a weak negotiating position. Urgent shift premiums of 20-30% above standard rates are common.
If you keep your calendar flexible enough to take on urgent shifts, this can significantly boost your average earnings. Platforms like Fetch flag urgent shifts prominently and notify nearby locums automatically.
Out-of-Hours Work
Night shifts, weekends, and bank holidays attract higher rates. The premium varies but is typically:
- Weeknight OOH: 25-50% above standard day rate
- Weekend days: 20-40% premium
- Weekend nights: 40-60% premium
- Bank holidays: 50-100% premium (Christmas Day and New Year's Day command the highest premiums)
OOH work isn't for everyone, but locums who are willing to cover unsociable hours can earn significantly more.
Shift Duration
Most quoted day rates assume a standard 8-10 hour shift. Longer shifts or split shifts may attract additional compensation. Similarly, half-day rates are typically slightly more than 50% of the full day rate, reflecting the fact that even a half day involves the same travel and preparation.
Surgical Expectations
A consulting-only day is generally valued lower than a day that includes a surgical list. Vets who can confidently handle a full range of routine soft tissue surgery are more valuable to practices and can charge accordingly.
Travel and Accommodation
For shifts that require significant travel, some locums factor travel costs into their rate. Others charge the day rate plus mileage. For very remote locations, practices sometimes provide accommodation, which effectively increases the value of the shift even if the headline rate is comparable.
Business Structure and Take-Home Pay
Your gross day rate is not your take-home pay. How much you actually keep depends significantly on your business structure.
Sole Trader
The simplest structure. You operate as a self-employed individual, report your income through Self Assessment, and pay income tax and National Insurance on your profits.
Advantages:
- Minimal administrative overhead
- No company formation or annual filing costs
- Simple to set up and run
Considerations:
- You pay income tax at your marginal rate (20%, 40%, or 45%)
- Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance apply
- Limited tax planning opportunities compared to a limited company
Most locums start as sole traders and it remains the most common structure, particularly for those earning below the higher rate tax threshold.
Limited Company
Operating through a limited company means you are a director and shareholder of your own company. The company invoices the practice, and you extract funds through a combination of salary and dividends.
Advantages:
- Corporation tax (currently 25% for profits above £50,000) can be lower than the higher rate income tax bracket
- Dividend extraction is more tax-efficient than salary above certain thresholds
- Greater flexibility in timing income
- Professional perception — some practices prefer dealing with limited companies
Considerations:
- Formation costs and annual filing requirements (Companies House, annual accounts)
- Accountancy fees are typically higher than for sole traders
- IR35 legislation — if HMRC determines you are effectively an employee of the practice, you may be taxed as one regardless of your company structure
- More complex record-keeping
The limited company route typically becomes advantageous when your annual earnings exceed roughly £40,000-£50,000 in profit, though the exact crossover point depends on your personal circumstances. A specialist veterinary accountant can model the numbers for your situation.
Umbrella Company
An umbrella company employs you and handles invoicing, tax, and National Insurance. You receive a salary after the umbrella takes its margin and deducts PAYE tax and NI.
Advantages:
- Very low administrative burden — the umbrella handles everything
- No company formation or self-assessment required
- Simple and predictable
Considerations:
- You are taxed as an employee (PAYE), so you don't benefit from the tax efficiencies of a limited company
- The umbrella takes a fee (typically £20-£30 per week)
- Employer's NI is deducted from your gross pay, reducing your take-home compared to other structures
Umbrella companies suit locums who want minimal administrative hassle and are comfortable with the lower take-home pay that comes with PAYE taxation.
A Worked Example
To illustrate the difference, consider a locum vet earning £500 per day, working 200 days per year (£100,000 gross revenue):
- Sole trader: After expenses, income tax, and NI, approximate take-home of £65,000-£70,000
- Limited company: With optimal salary/dividend split and after corporation tax, approximate take-home of £72,000-£78,000
- Umbrella: After umbrella fees, employer's NI, income tax, and employee's NI, approximate take-home of £60,000-£65,000
These are rough illustrations — your actual figures will depend on your expenses, pension contributions, and other personal factors. The message is clear though: your business structure has a meaningful impact on what you take home.
How Locum Rates Compare to Permanent Salaries
A direct comparison between locum day rates and permanent salaries requires careful accounting.
A permanently employed vet earning £55,000 per year with 25 days' annual leave and 8 bank holidays works approximately 228 days per year, giving an effective day rate of about £241.
A locum vet earning £480 per day and working the same 228 days would gross £109,440 — nearly double. But the locum doesn't receive:
- Paid holiday (worth roughly £12,000 at that day rate for the equivalent time off)
- Employer pension contributions (typically 3-6% of salary)
- Sick pay
- CPD funding (many practices offer £1,500-£2,500 per year)
- Professional subscription fees (RCVS, BVA, etc.)
- PI insurance (the practice covers this for employed vets)
After accounting for these, the locum's advantage narrows but typically remains significant — perhaps 30-50% more in total remuneration, depending on how many days the locum chooses to work.
The real value of locuming, though, often isn't purely financial. The flexibility to choose your hours, take extended breaks, and avoid practice politics has a value that doesn't show up in a spreadsheet.
Tips to Maximise Your Locum Earnings
Know Your Worth
Research current market rates for your species, region, and experience level. Don't accept rates significantly below market. The ranges in this guide are a starting point — platforms like Fetch give you real-time visibility into what practices in your area are offering.
Be Available for Urgent Shifts
As mentioned, urgent shifts command premium rates. If you can keep some flexibility in your diary, these premium shifts can meaningfully increase your average earnings.
Build Direct Relationships
Agency fees reduce your effective rate. Building direct relationships with practices — whether through a platform or through personal connections — means the full agreed rate comes to you.
Consider Your Geography
If you're based between two or three urban centres, you may have access to a larger pool of shifts than someone in a single catchment area. Equally, being willing to travel to underserved areas can open up higher-paying opportunities.
Get Your Business Structure Right
As the worked example above shows, the difference between business structures can be £5,000-£15,000 per year in take-home pay. Invest in good accountancy advice — it pays for itself many times over. For more on the different structures, see our guide on what it means to be a locum vet.
Don't Neglect OOH
Even if you don't want to do regular out-of-hours work, picking up the occasional weekend or night shift at premium rates can boost your annual earnings without fundamentally changing your working pattern.
Track Your Expenses
Legitimate business expenses — travel, PI insurance, CPD, equipment, accountancy fees, phone costs — reduce your taxable income. Keep meticulous records and claim everything you're entitled to.
The Earnings Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
The UK veterinary locum market continues to favour the locum. Ongoing recruitment challenges in the profession, increasing demand for veterinary services, and changing attitudes to work-life balance all support strong demand and competitive rates.
Several factors are likely to influence rates going forward:
- Veterinary workforce shortages remain a structural issue, supporting continued demand for locum cover
- Corporate consolidation of practices is creating larger groups that rely on locum pools for flexible staffing
- Technology platforms are increasing transparency and efficiency in the market, which tends to push rates towards fair market value
- Inflation and cost of living pressures mean both locums and practices are conscious of rate levels
For locums who are clinically competent, reliable, and professionally presented, the earning outlook remains strong.
Getting Started
If you're considering locum work and want to understand the earning potential in your specific area and species, the best approach is to see what's actually available. Create a free profile on Fetch to browse current shifts and rates near you — no commitment required.
For a broader understanding of how locuming works, including RCVS requirements and practical steps to get started, read our comprehensive guide on what it means to be a locum vet. And if you're ready to start finding shifts, our guide on how to find locum vet shifts in the UK covers every available channel.