Veterinarians are in strong demand across most of the United States, with job openings consistently outnumbering may have access to candidates

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for veterinarians will grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This means more veterinary positions are being created than the number of new veterinarians entering the field each year. The shortage is most acute in rural areas, where many practices struggle to fill positions, and in specialized fields like exotic animal medicine and laboratory animal care.

Demand varies by region and practice type. Urban areas with high pet ownership and strong household incomes see steady hiring, while rural clinics often post positions for months without finding candidates. Emergency and specialty practices—such as those handling surgery, cardiology, or oncology—report particularly tight labor markets. Government positions, including those with the USDA and state animal health agencies, also have consistent openings.

Key Takeaways

  • Veterinary employment is projected to grow faster than average, creating more openings than the number of new graduates entering the profession each year.
  • Rural veterinary practices face the most severe shortages and often offer signing bonuses, loan forgiveness, or higher salaries to attract candidates.
  • Specialty practices in emergency medicine, surgery, and exotic animal care have fewer may have access to candidates than positions available.
  • Government veterinary positions with federal and state agencies remain consistently open and offer stable employment with benefits.
  • Starting salaries for new veterinarians have risen in response to demand, though they vary significantly by location and practice setting.

Why the veterinary field has more jobs than graduates

Veterinary schools in the United States produce roughly 3,000 to 3,500 new graduates each year, but the market creates more positions than that. Several factors drive this gap. Pet ownership has grown, and pet owners spend more on veterinary care than they did a decade ago. Simultaneously, many practicing veterinarians are aging toward retirement, and some leave the profession due to burnout or to pursue other work.

The number of veterinary school seats has not expanded to match demand. Accredited veterinary programs are expensive to operate and require significant infrastructure, so new schools open slowly. This structural constraint means the shortage is unlikely to disappear in the near term, even as interest in the profession remains high.

Where demand is strongest

Rural and underserved areas have the most acute shortages. A single veterinary clinic may be the only one within 50 miles, and when that veterinarian retires or leaves, the community loses access to care. To compete for candidates, rural practices increasingly offer loan repayment programs, signing bonuses, flexible schedules, or partnerships that lead to ownership. Some state governments and nonprofit organizations also fund rural veterinary positions to may support communities maintain access to care.

Within urban and suburban markets, specialty practices report stronger demand than general practices. Emergency clinics, surgical centers, and specialty hospitals—those focused on cardiology, orthopedics, or internal medicine—often have multiple open positions. These roles require additional training beyond the veterinary degree, which limits the candidate pool. Newly graduated veterinarians often start in general practice and move into specialty work later, so specialty positions may remain open longer.

Government and research veterinary positions

Federal agencies including the USDA, FDA, and Department of Defense regularly hire veterinarians for food safety, drug approval, military veterinary medicine, and animal health research. State departments of agriculture and animal health also maintain ongoing hiring. These positions offer stable employment, government benefits, and predictable schedules, but they typically require passing the Veterinary Medical Examination and obtaining a state license before explore.

Research institutions and universities employ veterinarians in laboratory animal medicine, comparative medicine, and veterinary research roles. These positions are less visible than clinical practice but represent a consistent source of employment. Many require or prefer a board certification in laboratory animal medicine, which takes additional training after the DVM degree.

How demand affects starting salaries and job terms

Strong demand has pushed starting salaries upward. New veterinarians in 2023 and 2024 reported average starting salaries ranging from $75,000 to $110,000 depending on location, practice type, and region. Rural practices and specialty clinics typically offer higher starting pay. Some practices also offer sign-on bonuses, continuing education funding, or student loan repayment as part of the compensation package.

Demand also gives new graduates more negotiating power over work conditions. Practices increasingly offer flexible scheduling, mentorship from experienced veterinarians, and clear paths to partnership or ownership to attract and retain new hires. However, these benefits vary widely by employer and location, so candidates should compare offers carefully.

Burnout and retention challenges despite high demand

Even with strong job demand and rising pay, veterinary medicine faces retention problems. Burnout is common due to long hours, emotional labor from euthanasia decisions, and financial pressure on practices. Some veterinarians leave the profession entirely rather than move between jobs. This ongoing attrition keeps demand high even as new graduates enter the field.

Practices that invest in mental health support, reasonable caseloads, and collaborative team environments report better retention. However, not all practices have the resources or culture to prioritize these factors, so working conditions vary significantly between employers.

Demand in different veterinary specialties

Not all veterinary roles have equal demand. Large animal veterinarians—those working with cattle, horses, and other livestock—are in particularly short supply relative to need, especially in agricultural regions. Exotic animal veterinarians are also scarce, as this specialty requires additional training and appeals to fewer graduates. Veterinary pathologists, who perform diagnostic work in laboratories, are consistently in demand but require board certification.

Small animal general practice remains the most common entry point for new graduates, and demand is steady but less acute than in specialty or rural settings. Competition for small animal positions in desirable urban locations is higher than in other sectors, though openings still exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to find a job as a new veterinarian?

No. Most new veterinarians receive multiple job offers before graduation. The challenge is finding a position that matches your preferred location, practice type, and work conditions—not finding work itself. Rural and specialty practices may have openings that are easier to fill than competitive positions in major cities.

Do veterinarians have to move to find work?

Not necessarily, but willingness to relocate—especially to rural or underserved areas—opens more opportunities and often leads to higher pay and better terms. Veterinarians who want to stay in a specific city may have fewer options and less negotiating power, though positions do exist in most metropolitan areas.

Are government veterinary jobs easier to get than private practice jobs?

Government positions are competitive and require passing the Veterinary Medical Examination and obtaining a state license, but they are not harder to find than private practice roles. The main difference is the process process: government hiring moves slowly and follows formal procedures, while private practices may hire quickly. Both have openings.

Will the veterinary job market stay strong?

Projections suggest demand will remain strong through the next decade, driven by pet ownership, aging veterinarians retiring, and limited growth in veterinary school capacity. However, economic downturns can reduce pet spending and slow hiring, so the market is not immune to broader economic conditions.

What specialty areas have the most job openings?

Emergency medicine, surgery, and large animal medicine have the most openings relative to available candidates. Exotic animal medicine and laboratory animal medicine also have consistent demand. General small animal practice has openings but faces more competition from new graduates.