Here’s How Much Veterinarians Really Make

vets salary

When you are feeling burned out, it just takes a quick call into your physician or visits to the urgent medical center to get you back on track. Thankfully, your pet friends can get the same level of care from a veterinarian specializing in caring for animals of all species, sizes, types, and. Veterinarians must follow a rigorous training path, similar to physicians before they can practice and make a living.

Job Description

Just like we need frequent check-ups, animals need yearly maintenance care to keep them disease-free. Veterinarians give yearly exams where they educate the owner on proper care, check and weigh the animal’s vitals, and vaccinate against diseases.

When an animal gets injured or sick, the veterinarians diagnose and treat the condition or problem. Most vets operate medical equipment like X-ray and ultrasound machines and perform surgeries. If need be, a vet may also euthanize an animal.

Education Requirements

Becoming a vet requires a rigorous educational path, starting with taking science and math classes in high school. Most vet schools require a bachelor’s degree, and all look for undergraduate courses in chemistry, biology, physiology, anatomy,  zoology, animal science, and microbiology.

As of 2018, thirty colleges offered an accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, which includes 3 years of classroom work followed by the 4th year of work experience. Because admission to vet school is competitive, it’s essential to have relevant experience from volunteering, internships, and jobs to set you apart.

Every vet must become licensed before practicing medicine. The specific requirements vary from state-to-state but include passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and a state exam.

As of May 2019, the annual median income for veterinarians was $95,460, according to the U.S. BLS. The leading 10 percent earned an average of $160,780, while the lowest 10 percent made an average of $58,080. Vets in Hawaii made the highest, with an annual mean wage of $201,350. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association’s) Economic Summit found starting salaries for veterinarian school graduates hovered between $60,000 and $150,000. (1)


Generally, veterinarians concentrate on pet animals or companions such as cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, gerbils, and birds. In more rural places and smaller towns, the local veterinarian may also treat large farm animals like cows, goats, sheep, and pigs.

Pet vets tend to work in a hospital or private clinic, while those who work with larger farm animals often travel to ranches or farms where the animals live. Veterinarians can expect to work for prolonged hours, including weekends and evenings, while on call for emergencies.

How Much Do Veterinarians Make

Careers in the U. S:

According to PayScale, a vets salary increases with years of experience:

  • 1-5 years: $72,100
  • 5-10 years: $83,200
  • 10-20 years: $89,100
  • More than 20 years: $93,100

Careers in Europe:

Starting salaries for newly-qualified vets are generally around £30,600 to £35,600.

With further experience and training, your compensation can rise to approximately £40,100 to £70,100. Veterinarians employed in large animal practices tend to make more than those handling with smaller animals.

Experienced veterinarians working in the industry can make up to around £92,600.

Careers in Asia:

An entry-level vet (1-5 years of experience) makes an average compensation of ¥7,125,892. On the other hand, a senior level vet (9+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ¥12,628,032. The average vet salary in Japan is ¥10,181,387 or an equivalent hourly rate of ¥4,895. Additionally, they earn an average bonus of ¥208,718.

[Also Read: What Are the Yearly Wages of a Veterinary Technician]

Salary by Location

Geography also plays a role in determining the amount that a vet can expect to earn. According to Zippia, the best-paying states for veterinarian salaries are Arizona, Delaware, Vermont, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, New Hampshire, Alaska, California, and New York.

Job Growth Trend

The sector of veterinary medicine is expected to grow nearly nineteen percent between 2016 and 2026, over two times as high as the growth expectancy for all areas. With more people owning furry friends and wanting specialized care for them, the demand for vets and their services will also increase.

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