CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Veterinarians diagnose animal health problems, vaccinate against diseases and medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses.
Career Level
Salary
National average, per year
$90,420
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
3,615
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Veterinarian
There are many fields of veterinary medicine. Some veterinarians (vets) care for common household pets like cats and dogs. Others treat farm animals or even exotic animals. Veterinarians work in a variety of settings, with most working in private practices.
Vets have the important job of examining, diagnosing and treating the health issues of animals. They may perform tests and surgery when needed. They vaccinate animals against diseases. They often prescribe and administer medications.
The job outlook for veterinarians is excellent. This is a rewarding and exciting career for animal lovers.
Veterinarian Job Responsibilities
Veterinarians may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Examine animals and diagnose their health issues
- Perform surgery
- Vaccinate against diseases
- Educate animal owners
- Euthanize animals
- Prescribe and administer medication
Veterinarian Salary
The actual salary of the radiologist can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $90,420*
National average per hour: $43.47*
- $90,696 per year, $43.60 per hour**
- $95,410 per year, $45.87 per hour***
- $89,548 to $123,031 per year****
- $92,125 per year, $44.30 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Veterinarian Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a veterinarian? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Job stability
- Good salary
- Variety of specialties
- Interaction with animals is rewarding
- Less likely to be sued compared to other doctors
Cons
- Education is expensive
- Stressful to work with sick and injured animals and their distraught owners
- Potential for injury from frightened animals
- Irregular work hours
- Entry to veterinary school is very competitive
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Veterinarian?
If you are considering a career as veterinarian, here are the steps you will need to complete.
- Earn your high school diploma.
- Complete a bachelor’s degree program in a science-related field.
- Earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
- Become licensed by passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE).
Suggested Career Path
A veterinarian is at the end of the medical career pathway, but can be preceded by entry-level or mid-level jobs. A sample career path could look like this:
Caregiver > Veterinary Technician > Veterinarian
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma
- Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field (4 years)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree (4 years)
Typical Work Experience Required
Experience gained through DVM program.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by location.
- Passion for working with animals
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Problem sensitivity
- Complex problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Inductive reasoning
Veterinarian Certifications
Not legally required in order to practice. Veterinarians may choose certifications in order to highlight their specialty in a field, such as:
- ABVP, ABVP Veterinary Certification (ABVP)
Veterinarian Licenses
Required in all states by passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE)
Veterinarian Training and Preparation
There are only 30 colleges or schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, so acceptance into a program is very competitive. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field and obtaining extensive hours of animal-related experience in places such as veterinary offices or shelters will help you prepare for acceptance into veterinary medicine school.
Once veterinarians have earned their DVM degree and have become licensed, they are legally able to practice. Some may choose to become certified in a specialty field. These specialty certifications require additional internships and residency programs.
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