Best Paying Veterinary Jobs

The field of veterinary medicine is not only a fulfilling career path for animal lovers but also offers a variety of lucrative positions. From caring for household pets to ensuring the health of livestock and exotic animals, the roles within this field are as diverse as they are rewarding. Below, we explore the top ten best-paying jobs in veterinary medicine, detailing job responsibilities, required education, and, of course, the potential earnings for each.

Professor of Veterinary Medicine

• Average Salary: $102,500
• Job Description: Professors of veterinary medicine are responsible for educating the next generation of veterinarians. This role involves lecturing, conducting research, and supervising clinical rotations.
• Responsibilities: Teaching, research, curriculum development, student supervision.
• Required Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, often accompanied by a background in research and teaching experience.

Regulatory Medicine Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $95,000
• Job Description: These veterinarians work for government agencies and are involved in enforcing animal health regulations, preventing disease outbreaks, and ensuring the humane treatment of animals.
• Responsibilities: Inspection, enforcement of animal health laws, disease outbreak management.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with some positions requiring additional training in public health or regulatory affairs.

Research Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $94,852
• Job Description: Research veterinarians work in biomedical research, studying diseases, developing vaccines, and finding new treatments for animal and human health issues.
• Responsibilities: Conducting experiments, data analysis, publishing research findings.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with many positions requiring a Ph.D. in a relevant field.

Zoo Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $77,713
• Job Description: Zoo veterinarians are responsible for the healthcare of a wide range of exotic animals in zoos and wildlife parks.
• Responsibilities: Preventive care, emergency treatment, health assessments, surgical procedures.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with additional training or specialization in exotic animal medicine preferred.

Food Animal Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $71,096
• Job Description: These veterinarians specialize in the health and well-being of livestock such as cattle, swine, and poultry.
• Responsibilities: Health management, disease prevention, productivity enhancement.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with a focus on large animal medicine during veterinary school.

Mixed Animal Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $67,338
• Job Description: Mixed animal veterinarians provide medical care to both large and small animals, often in rural settings.
• Responsibilities: Routine check-ups, emergency care, surgical procedures, farm visits.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with comprehensive training in various animal species.

Military Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $66,679
• Job Description: Serving in the military, these veterinarians care for military working dogs, horses, and other animals.
• Responsibilities: Veterinary care, public health duties, research, and development.
• Required Education: DVM degree, followed by military training and commissioning.

Small Animal Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $64,744
• Job Description: Focused on pets and small animals, these veterinarians work in private clinics or animal hospitals.
• Responsibilities: Diagnosing diseases, performing surgeries, providing preventive care.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with state licensure and completion of the NAVLE.

Public Health Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $58,000
• Job Description: These veterinarians work at the intersection of animal health and public health, focusing on disease control, food safety, and epidemiology.
• Responsibilities: Disease surveillance, public education, health policy development.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with some positions requiring a Master’s in Public Health (MPH).

Equine Veterinarian

• Average Salary: $43,405
• Job Description: Equine veterinarians specialize in the care of horses, addressing a range of health issues from preventive care to emergency surgery.
• Responsibilities: Routine health care, treatment of injuries, reproductive services.
• Required Education: DVM degree, with a focus on equine medicine during veterinary school.

Final Thoughts

A career in veterinary medicine not only promises the satisfaction of improving the lives of animals but also offers a variety of paths with competitive salaries. Whether your interest lies in teaching, research, clinical practice, or public health, opportunities abound for those with a passion for animal care and the dedication to pursue the necessary education.

Sources

• www.scijournal.org
• www.becomecareer.com

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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