Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.
Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. Others travel to farms, work in laboratories or classrooms, or work for the government.
Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college and a state license.
The median annual wage for veterinarians was $88,490 in May 2015.
Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Candidates should expect very strong competition for available veterinarian positions, especially in companion animal care. Those with specializations and prior work experience should have the best job opportunities.
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for veterinarians.
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of veterinarians with similar occupations.
Learn more about veterinarians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.