How to Become a Veterinarian

4 Steps to Becoming Licensed as a Vet

FAQ on Earning Your Veterinary Degree

The road to completing your veterinarian doctorate and entering the profession can be long and arduous. But there are keys to make the experience rewarding and beneficial to your building a sustained career. Here are some tips worth considering:

Veterinarian Salary & Job Growth

Across the United States, veterinarian salaries very widely based on factors that include state and city cost of living, types of veterinarian clinics or private practice, and personal experience in the field. According to the BLS, the 69,400 veterinarians in the country earn a mean annual wage of $101,530.

Experience also impacts earnings. PayScale reports that beginning veterinarian salaries range from $52,863 - $103,684. Average initial bonuses can amount to $17,633 per year, with commissions from $2,021 to $40,490. Mid-career veterinarians can earn up to $109,815, with a $20,000 bonus and $38,438 in commissions. Late career veterinarians earn up to $140,954, with a bonus of $20,664 and commissions as high as $49,665. Don’t forget to consider profit-sharing. Depending on the practice or firm, veterinarians can receive annual profit sharing contributions that range wildly, from $2,432 - $181,207.

The BLS has compiled 2016 data for every state, including salaries, numbers of veterinarians, and job projections (2016-2026). The bureau predicts that nationwide employment for qualified veterinarians will grow by 19% between 2016-2026. The highest median annual wages are offered in Hawaii, $198,340; New Jersey, $124,830; New York, $122,500; Nevada, $121,150; California, $120,300; Connecticut, $114,110; and Rhode Island, $118,660. The lowest-paying states include Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Where are the best, and worst, states to find a veterinarian job? The percentage of new veterinarian jobs predicted 2016-2026 also varies – sometimes dramatically – from state to state. The BLS predicts the highest percentage of veterinarian job growth for the decade is expected in Arizona, 26.3%; Washington, 26.2%; Colorado, 24.9%; Florida, 23.7%; and North Carolina, 20.7%.

States where the fewest percentage of new jobs are anticipated include West Virginia, a net loss of 3.3% jobs; Wyoming, net loss of 1.7% jobs; New Mexico, net gain of +2.4%; Idaho, +2.8%; Massachusetts, +3.9%; Maine, +4.1%; Minnesota, +4.4%; Arkansas, +4.5%; and Delaware, +5.6%.

The states with the greatest number of working veterinarians include California, 6,480 veterinarians; Florida, 4,300; North Carolina, 2,888; Ohio, 2,870; Michigan, 2,050; Maryland, 1,740; Massachusetts, 1,450; Minnesota, 1,340; and Pennsylvania, 2,990. States with the fewest number of working veterinarians include Alaska, 190; Wyoming, 200; Delaware, 220; North Dakota, 230; South Dakota, 230; West Virginia, 330; and New Mexico, 370.

The BLS predicts that employment growth in the veterinary service industries will be spurred by the increasing number of consumers who depend on pet care. The rise of specializations and services among veterinarians will also drive increases in hiring, depending on the community where pet owners seek advanced care and treatment to extend the lives of their animals.

Professional Veterinary Associations & Groups

Students are encouraged to investigate and join professional associations that advocate for veterinarians, their common interests, and that support research in the field. The benefits are legion. An association can provide mentors and practitioners for career networking, employment strategies, the latest job alerts, advancements in the profession, and evidence-based clinical techniques. Here are several to consider as you grow into the field:

Resources for Veterinarians

Veterinarians never stop learning or conducting research. Students may want to familiarize themselves with the following helpful resources that offer information from government agencies and professional organizations. Learn about animal hospitals, government regulations, and associations offering advice on building your business:

The National Association of Federal Veterinarians (NAFV)

Made up of public health veterinarians, NAFV serves Veterinary Medical Officers with leadership roles in national animal health programs. Its resources are helpful for those who plan to work in the livestock field as a federal employee. Find information on state requirements, student loan forgiveness programs, and continuing education.

The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA)

Founded in 1897, the USAHA is a non-profit, science-based organization offering an international forum for members representing veterinarians, state and federal governments, universities, research scientists, and national livestock and poultry organizations. Website topics include disease eradication, animal welfare, emergency preparedness, and emerging diseases.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

AAHA is the nation’s only veterinary association exclusively serving caregivers and owners of companion animals. More than 3,700 veterinary practice teams in North America are accredited by AAHA. The organization also sponsors the Animal Hospice & Palliative Care Certificate Program, offering six hours of CE credit for students who complete the coursework.

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the CVM regulates animal pharmaceuticals, veterinary devices, and pet foods. It does not regulate vaccines for animals or the practice of veterinary medicine. The website contains federal publications on product approvals, compliance and enforcement, safety and health.

Morris Animal Foundation

This non-profit foundation funds critical scientific studies related to the health of all animals. Specific animal populations that are served include dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife. MAF is currently seeking grant proposals for studies on large companion animals such as horses and llamas.

Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS)

Student chapters across the country participate in SVECCS wet lab activities. SVECCS is one of the largest student organizations in many veterinary colleges, providing resources for continuing educational and employment opportunities organized around emergency and critical care medicine.

Vet-I-Care

Vet-I-Care is charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to helping money-strapped families receive emergency and specialty care for their pets.

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