What Does it Take to Be a Veterinarian?
Veterinarian Job Description 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.
Life As a Veterinarian: What Do They Do?
- Euthanize animals.
- Provide care to a wide range of animals or specialize in a particular species, such as horses or exotic birds.
- Research diseases to which animals could be susceptible.
- Specialize in a particular type of treatment, such as dentistry, pathology, nutrition, surgery, microbiology, or internal medicine.
- Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
- Drive mobile clinic vans to farms so that health problems can be treated or prevented.
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Veterinarian Needed Skills
When polled, Veterinarians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Types of Veterinarian Jobs
- Large Animal Veterinarian
- Veterinary Virus Serum Inspector
- Veterinary Pharmacologist
- Veterinarian (VET)
- Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinarian Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 79,600 jobs for Veterinarian in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 18.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,000 new jobs for Veterinarian by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,500 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Veterinarian are Utah, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Veterinarian
The salary for Veterinarians ranges between about $56,540 and $162,450 a year.
Veterinarians who work in New Jersey, Maryland, or Delaware, make the highest salaries.
How much do Veterinarians make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $92,930 |
| Alaska | $121,010 |
| Arizona | $98,680 |
| Arkansas | $82,060 |
| California | $121,750 |
| Colorado | $92,710 |
| Connecticut | $105,380 |
| Delaware | $115,640 |
| District of Columbia | $103,840 |
| Florida | $103,580 |
| Georgia | $91,270 |
| Idaho | $102,450 |
| Illinois | $108,280 |
| Indiana | $89,060 |
| Iowa | $88,690 |
| Kansas | $98,260 |
| Kentucky | $86,160 |
| Louisiana | $87,200 |
| Maine | $89,340 |
| Maryland | $117,100 |
| Massachusetts | $109,520 |
| Michigan | $100,380 |
| Minnesota | $95,060 |
| Mississippi | $77,790 |
| Missouri | $90,580 |
| Montana | $79,380 |
| Nebraska | $82,040 |
| Nevada | $119,590 |
| New Hampshire | $106,680 |
| New Jersey | $120,700 |
| New Mexico | $96,440 |
| New York | $117,800 |
| North Carolina | $104,540 |
| North Dakota | $92,200 |
| Ohio | $103,970 |
| Oklahoma | $82,950 |
| Oregon | $109,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $109,580 |
| Rhode Island | $105,780 |
| South Carolina | $111,100 |
| South Dakota | $100,050 |
| Tennessee | $93,520 |
| Texas | $124,060 |
| Utah | $76,980 |
| Vermont | $96,350 |
| Virginia | $125,360 |
| Washington | $93,010 |
| West Virginia | $92,510 |
| Wisconsin | $90,120 |
| Wyoming | $83,420 |
What Tools do Veterinarians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Veterinarians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone
Becoming a Veterinarian
Individuals working as a Veterinarian have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Veterinarians Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Veterinarian might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Shelby R. Orozco via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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