Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Veterinarians
Veterinarians diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.
Table of contents
What they do
Veterinarians diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.
- Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
- Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
- Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
- Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Veterinarians examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries. They inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
A typical day for a Veterinarian will also include:
- Direct the overall operations of animal hospitals, clinics, or mobile services to farms.
- Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
- Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
- Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, general care, medical conditions, or treatment options.
- Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Veterinarians also euthanize animals. They may also counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Veterinarians specialize in a particular type of treatment, such as dentistry, pathology, nutrition, surgery, microbiology, or internal medicine. They might also determine the effects of drug therapies, antibiotics, or new surgical techniques by testing them on animals.
In addition, they perform administrative or business management tasks, such as scheduling appointments, accepting payments from clients, budgeting, or maintaining business records.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them plan or execute animal nutrition or reproduction programs.
To some Veterinarians, it is also their responsibility to drive mobile clinic vans to farms so that health problems can be treated or prevented.
Freedom to make decisions
How much decision making freedom does this job offer?
Structured vs unstructured work
To what extent is this job structured for you versus allowing you to determine your own tasks, priorities, and goals?
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
70% said they were satisfied with their job and 85% said they found their job meaningful.
I am a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) from the University of Lisbon, Portugal and I trained at different hospitals all over the world, from Equine clinical practice to volunteering in South Africa and Belize working with all sorts of wild animals. Taking an x-ray on a horse. It requires at least two people, ideally … Read More
Typically, I arrive at the clinic around 8 a.m. and start seeing appointments every 30 minutes through lunch, then I have a lunch break where I call owners or review lab work that has arrived, attend a presentation from a local vendor, or write records. In the afternoon, I continue to see patients and write … Read More
In my youth, I volunteered at various conservation centers as a veterinarian and facilitator. I was in charge of taking care of the animals that required medical assistance and I advised the caretakers on what the animals need to stay happy. I stayed on-site and check on all the animals in the clinic the first … Read More
Dr. Caren Carney is a relief veterinarian. Relief or locum work is when an experienced, fully-credentialed veterinarian works in or even manages someone else’s practice for a short time, to cover for staffing shortages, maternity, and sick leave, or vacations. Most relief vets are independent contractors, which can be a challenge. My day as a … Read More
I start work at 6AM Monday-Saturday and stop seeing appointments at 4PM (although I am usually here until closer to 5PM). I do have a small block for lunch/meetings, but I usually use that time to accommodate clients that have an emergency. 6AM-8AM: I spend my time seeing walk-ins and checking in procedures for the … Read More
As is true with any other profession, being a veterinarian carries its pros and cons. It is often hailed as a rewarding and honest career, requiring a diligent work ethic and a compassionate heart for an individual to be successful. Over my 15 years as a veterinarian, having taken on many different roles, it has … Read More
My name is Dr. Madison Rose. I am a veterinarian and the owner of two veterinary practices. I have been a veterinarian for 6 years. I love being a veterinarian. What I love most about this profession is that there are so many avenues to take after you receive your degree. I have friends from … Read More
I am Sara Ochoa, DVM. I am a small animal and exotic veterinarian in Texas. Being a vet has good days and bad. Many times I can help people’s pets get better. There are days that no matter what I do I can not fix them. Some people will get very upset and even angry … Read More
Being a veterinarian is like being a jack of all trades. I feel like a dentist, primary care provider, surgeon, anesthesiologist, dermatologist, emergency physician, and more! Being a veterinarian is a very demanding but rewarding job. My work life involves half preventive care, giving vaccines, and doing wellness checks on pets- both a physical exam … Read More
As a veterinarian, we fill many roles including healthcare provider, public health advocate, financial advisor, family counselor, grief counselor, mind reader, animal psychiatrist, human psychiatrist, and on and on. We spin many plates on many sticks trying to keep up. Being a veterinarian is the most rewarding and taxing profession I can imagine. Picture a … Read More
Being a veterinarian is a jack of all trades in the medical world, especially for general practitioners. As a veterinarian, I have to wear the hats of internal medicine, ophthalmologist, surgeon, dentist, cardiologist, nutritionist, and hospice care. We can be with you through the entire life span of your pet, from juvenile to senior. We … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Demand for this career is growing fast.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Veterinarians with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $60,690 to $79,430 per year or $29 to $38 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $164,490 | $79 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $126,260 | $61 |
| Median | $99,250 | $48 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $79,430 | $38 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $60,690 | $29 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Veterinarians based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty Hospitals | $154310 | $74.19 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $126000 | $60.58 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $122470 | $58.88 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $118500 | $56.97 |
| Employment Services | $112600 | $54.14 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $109060 | $52.43 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $109050 | $52.43 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $108520 | $52.17 |
| Spectator Sports | $105570 | $50.76 |
| Local Government | $105350 | $50.65 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Veterinarians work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Veterinarians including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 66950 | $109050 | $52.43 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 1170 | $97370 | $46.81 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 910 | $101250 | $48.68 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 750 | $89900 | $43.22 |
| State Government | 690 | $93810 | $45.10 |
| Other Personal Services | 440 | $99860 | $48.01 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 380 | $118500 | $56.97 |
| Local Government | 380 | $105350 | $50.65 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 370 | $100040 | $48.10 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | 170 | $90280 | $43.41 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
Work with group or team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Deal with external customers
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Manage or lead others
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How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Frequency of conflict situations
How often are there conflict situations in this job?
Dealing with angry people
How often do you have to deal with angry, unpleasant, or discourteous individuals in this job?
Dealing with physically aggressive people
How often do you have to deal with physically aggressive people in this job?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
Repetition in this job
How important is repeating the same type of task over and over in this job?
Impact of decisions on co-workers or company results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Frequency of decision making
How frequently do you have to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the reputation of the company?
Responsibility for others’ health and safety
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
Responsibility for outcomes and results
How much responsibility is there for the work outcomes and results of other workers?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Veterinary Behaviorist Residency Program
Theriogenology Residency Program
Veterinary Surgery Residency Program
Veterinary Practice Residency Program
Zoological Medicine Residency Program
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Residency Program
Veterinary Toxicology Residency Program
Veterinary Radiology Residency Program
Poultry Veterinarian Residency Program
Veterinary Preventive Medicine Residency Program
Veterinary Microbiology Residency Program
Veterinary Ophthalmology Residency Program
Veterinary Anesthesiology Residency Program
Veterinary Dentistry Residency Program
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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