Veterinarians

Career summary

Veterinarians examine animals and ask owners questions. They give animals shots to protect them against diseases such as distemper and rabies. Veterinarians talk to owners about the care and feeding of their animals. They keep detailed records about animals and their treatments.

Veterinarians perform lab tests and exams of sick animals. They explain test results and review treatment options with animal owners. If more than one treatment is available, veterinarians help owners decide which option to choose. They often prescribe medicines for animals that are ill. Veterinarians stay in contact with animal owners to monitor the condition of animals and make changes in the treatment.

Sometimes veterinarians operate on animals. They may also treat injuries such as wounds and broken bones. Occasionally, veterinarians euthanize animals that are seriously ill or injured.

Many veterinarians work with pets, such as dogs, cats, ferrets, and lizards. Some work with pigs, goats, horses, and other livestock. In addition to taking care of the health of these animals, veterinarians may offer owners advice about animal breeding.

Some veterinarians specialize in animal:

• Dentistry
• Surgery
• Eye care
• Skin care

Veterinarians assign tasks to technicians. They consult with other animal care professionals. In private practice, veterinarians may oversee the business aspects of running an office. For example, they hire and train new employees, keep track of supplies, and pay employees.

Veterinarians may do research to prevent diseases in humans and animals. Some veterinarians are meat inspectors at food processing plants. Others work in wildlife management. Some veterinarians teach in universities and colleges. A few veterinarians care for animals in zoos, aquariums, or labs. They share information with people at other zoos and aquariums to keep records of all kinds of animals.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Anesthesiologists
• Animal Scientists
• Dentists
• Family and General Practitioners
• Internists
• Medical Scientists
• Surgeons
• Veterinary Assistants
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• Zoologists

Military careers

• Life Scientists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to veterinarians.

• Examine animals.
• Treat animals.
• Give animals vaccinations (shots) to prevent diseases.
• Take samples and order lab tests.
• Diagnose health problems.
• Drive to farms to treat and prevent health problems.
• Direct animal hospitals, clinics, or mobile services to farms.
• Communicate with owners about animals' health problems, care, behavior, and disease prevention.
• Specialize in specific area of treatment, such as surgery.
• Educate public about diseases spread from animals to humans.
• Train and supervise assistants and technicians.
• Provide care to different types of animals. May specialize in a specific animal, such as horses.
• Inspect and test animals to detect diseases.
• Euthanize animals (put an animal to "sleep").
• Establish and conduct testing procedures that prevent the spread of diseases.
• May conduct research.
• Plan animal nutrition and reproduction programs.
• May determine the cause of animals' death.
• Perform administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments.
• Test drugs and surgical techniques on animals.

Common work activities

Veterinarians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Perform for or work with the public
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Assist and care for others
• Document and record information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Analyze data or information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Process information
• Handle and move objects
• Use computers
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Evaluate information against standards
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Develop and build teams
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Perform administrative tasks

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, veterinarians:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They talk with animal owners and other animal health workers.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of animals and coworkers.
• Are greatly responsible for work outcomes.
• Are often placed in conflict situations with animal owners.
• Often deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous animal owners. Pet illnesses can be stressful.
• Communicate with coworkers and animal owners daily by telephone or in person.
• Write letters, e-mail, and memos on a weekly basis.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Are exposed to contaminants daily, such as chemicals.
• Are exposed to diseases and infections from the animals on a daily basis.
• Often work indoors when caring for small animals, and outdoors when caring for large animals.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable, such as noisy animals.
• Are sometimes exposed to radiation when using diagnostic equipment.
• Often are exposed to hazardous situations that can result in cuts, bites, or scratches.
• Often wear protective clothing, such as masks and gloves.
• Often wear specialized protective clothing, such as radiation protection suites.
• Sometimes wear lab jackets.
• Work very near animals and coworkers. They often work within inches of others.
• Sometimes must get into awkward positions when handling animals.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors or omissions could seriously endanger the health and safety of animals.
• Must repeat the same physical activities, such as examining animals.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact animals and owners. They rarely consult with other veterinarians before making decisions.
• Rarely consult with coworkers and other veterinarians before setting tasks and goals for the day.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• Often work more than 50 hours per week.
• May work evenings, nights, or weekends.
• May be on-call to come in for emergencies.
• May travel between their office and farms or ranches.

Physical demands

Veterinarians frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for veterinarians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for veterinarians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.

Skills and abilities

Veterinarians need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Sciences

Other programs of study to consider

• Anatomy
• Animal Physiology
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Epidemiology
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Technology
• Wildlife Biology
• Zoology and Animal Biology

Training

To work as a veterinarian, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete at least two years of pre-veterinary study;
• graduate from veterinary medicine school; and
• pass a state licensing exam.

Education after high school

Veterinary medicine programs usually take four years to complete. They award a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree. In veterinary school, you take courses in basic sciences such as anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology. In the last two years of study, you learn to diagnose and treat animals. You also learn to perform surgery on animals.

You need at least two years of pre-veterinary courses, primarily science classes, before enrolling in veterinary school. Many veterinary students have at least a bachelor's degree when they apply.

On-the-job training

You must complete a one-year internship after veterinary school if you want to specialize in an area, such as internal medicine, radiology, or exotic small animal medicine. Interns usually receive a small salary.

To become board certified in a specialty area of veterinary medicine, you must complete a residency program. Residencies last two to three years, depending on the specialty.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. You need a very strong background in math and science to become a veterinarian. Take as many math and science courses as you can.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Animal Science
• Computer Applications
• Food and Nutrition
• Safety and First Aid

Many veterinarians are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer to hire veterinarians who already have their state license. Employers also look at whether applicants have experience with small or large animals. In addition, employers look for applicants who have good communication skills.

Tips

Part-time or summer work as an animal caretaker or veterinary assistant in a veterinary office or pet store is a good way to get a feel for the job. Work in two to three clinics to make sure this is what you want to do. Volunteer jobs at the humane society, or joining 4-H clubs or the Future Farmers of America may provide good experience. Many veterinarians find employment with a local veterinarian with whom a personal relationship was established before veterinary training. It's important to remember that this job requires being able to work well with other veterinarians and clients, as well as animals. The study of basic sciences while in high school is important. Competition for openings at colleges of veterinary medicine can be very strong, so students who apply should plan alternatives in case they are not selected.

Costs to workers

Establishing a private practice is expensive. Costs range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. There is a trend toward working in group practices to share some of the overhead expenses. Veterinarians, who have borrowed money to pay for college, often have significant student loans to pay off. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average student debt of veterinary graduates in 2016 was $167,534.

Most veterinarians join a national, state, or local association, which may have annual membership dues.

#Updated student debt info 2/11/14 from here: https://www.avma.org/About/SAVMA/StudentFinancialResources/Pages/default.aspx . No new student debt info as of 4/15/15 cj. Updated student debt link in this comment section and data cited from it 2/27/17 cj. no new data as of 4/10/18 and only references students who had debt as of graduation in 2016 lh. Expanded cost of starting clinic from 2009 Veterinary Practice News article; no student debt data beyond 2016 yet, 3/11/19 cj.

Licensing/certification

Veterinarians must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Washington.

Licensing requirements include:

• being at least 18 years old;
• a graduate of a veterinary college recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association;
• completion of both a state jurisprudence and a national examination, including a clinical competency test;
• answer personal data questions;
• 30 hours of continuing education every three years;
• completion of four-clock hours of HIV/AIDS training; and
• payment of licensing fees.

Specialties such as surgery, radiology, cardiology and internal medicine require advanced training and certification by specialty boards. All specialty areas must be recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Veterinary Board of Governors 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
360.236.4700

#2/18/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Veterinarians 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Earnings depend on the size and type of practice. They also depend on whether the practice is in a rural area or city.

Veterinarians who work full time in a group practice generally receive benefits, such as paid vacation and health insurance. Self-employed veterinarians must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 14% of veterinarians are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Veterinary hospitals and clinics

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will remain strong. The number of pets people own is expected to rise. In addition, pet owners are more likely to pay for expensive treatments than they were in the past. This will increase the work for veterinarians because they will do more procedures to treat pets.

Veterinarians who work with small animals face competition, because many new graduates enter small animal medicine. The number of jobs for large animal veterinarians is expected to grow slowly. Advances in agricultural production have reduced the need for veterinarians to treat animals that produce food. Job prospects will be good for large animal veterinarians, however. This is because few graduates want to live in rural areas.

Other resources

AgCareers.com 
Western USA Office
866.519.7445

American Animal Hospital Association 
12575 West Bayaud Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80228
800.252.2242
303.986.2800

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 
9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive
Memphis, TN 38125
901.754.8620

American Association of Anatomists 
6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 725
Rockville, MD 20852
301.634.7910

American Association of State Veterinary Boards 
380 West 22nd Street, Suite 101
Kansas City, MO 64108
877.698.8482

American Association of Zoo Keepers 
8476 East Speedway Boulevard, Suite 204
Tucson, AZ 85710
520.298.9688

American Institute of Biological Sciences 
1800 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 400
Reston, VA 20191
703.674.2500

American Society of Animal Science 
PO Box 7410
Champaign, IL 61826-7410

American Veterinary Medical Association 
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
800.248.2862

Explore Health Careers: Veterinarian 

North American Veterinary Community 
352.375.5672

Washington State Veterinary Medical Association 
8024 Bracken Place SE
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
800.399.7862
425.396.3191

WSU College of Veterinary Medicine 

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Veterinarians (29-1131.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Veterinarian (073.101-010) 
• Veterinarian, Laboratory Animal Care (073.061-010) 
• Veterinarian, Poultry (073.101-014) 
• Zoo Veterinarian (073.101-018) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Veterinarian

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Social

COPSystem

• Science Professional
• Service Professional