Job Description - Veterinarian:
Veterinarians provide healthcare for pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Most perform clinical work in private practices. Of those, the majority work with small animals while a few work with large animals, including food animals, only.
Employment Facts - Veterinarians:
Veterinarians held about 59,700 jobs in the U.S. in 2008.
Educational Requirements - Veterinarians:
To become a veterinarian one must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Although many schools admit applicants who don't have a bachelor's degree, having one will increase your odds of getting accepted. There is keen competition for entry into this four year program.
Other Requirements - Veterinarians:
All States and the District of Columbia require that veterinarians be licensed before they can practice.
Advancement Opportunities - Veterinarians:
Most veterinarians begin as employees in established practices and when they become experienced, set up their own practice or purchase an established one.
Job Outlook - Veterinarians:
The job outlook for veterinarians is excellent. This occupation is projected to experience faster growth, through 2018, than other occupations requiring at least a master's degree (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Earnings - Veterinarians:
Veterinarians earned a median annual salary of $80,510 in 2009.
A Day in a Veterinarian's Life:
On a typical day a veterinarian working with small animals, for example dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles, in clinical practice will:
- diagnose animal health problems;
- vaccinate against diseases, such as distemper and rabies;
- medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses;
- treat and dress wounds;
- set fractures;
- perform surgery;
- advise owners about animal feeding, behavior, and breeding;
- euthanize animals when necessary;
On a typical day a veterinarian working with large animals, primarily horses and cows, will:
- provide preventive care to maintain the health of food animals;
- test for and vaccinate against diseases;
- consult with farm or ranch owners and managers on animal production, feeding, and housing issues;
- treat and dress wounds, set fractures, and perform surgery;
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Veterinarians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm (visited March 23, 2010).
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Veterinarians, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/29-1131.00 (visited December 8, 2010).
