The Current Number of Veterinarians in the U.S.

The United States has approximately 115,000 to 120,000 licensed veterinarians. This figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and includes veterinarians working in all settings—private practice, government agencies, research, education, and industry. The exact count shifts year to year as new graduates enter the profession and others retire.

About 80 percent of these veterinarians work in private practice, meaning they own or work at animal hospitals and clinics. The remaining 20 percent work for government agencies like the USDA and FDA, in research institutions, at universities, in pharmaceutical companies, or in other specialized roles. The profession has grown steadily over the past two decades as pet ownership has increased and demand for veterinary services has expanded.

Key Takeaways

  • The United States has roughly 115,000 to 120,000 licensed veterinarians, with most working in private animal hospitals and clinics.
  • About four out of five veterinarians are in private practice, while the remaining one-fifth work in government, research, education, or industry.
  • The number of veterinarians has grown over the past 20 years due to increased pet ownership and expanded demand for veterinary services.
  • Veterinarian density varies significantly by state, with some states having far more veterinarians per capita than others.
  • The profession is projected to grow faster than the average occupation over the next decade.

How Veterinarians Are Distributed Across States

Veterinarians are not evenly spread across the country. States with larger populations and higher pet ownership rates tend to have more veterinarians, but the ratio of veterinarians to people varies widely. California, Texas, Florida, and New York have the highest absolute numbers of veterinarians straightforward because they have larger populations. However, states like Vermont and Wyoming have higher veterinarian-to-population ratios because they have smaller populations and strong rural veterinary traditions.

Rural areas consistently face veterinarian shortages. Many rural counties have only one or two veterinarians serving large geographic areas, which can mean long wait times for appointments and limited access to specialized care. Some rural veterinarians travel between multiple towns or offer mobile clinic services to reach more animals. This geographic imbalance is one of the biggest challenges in the veterinary profession today.

Where Veterinarians Work and What They Do

The majority of veterinarians—roughly 75,000 to 95,000—work in small animal private practice, treating dogs, cats, and other pets. These veterinarians work in animal hospitals and clinics, performing routine checkups, vaccinations, surgeries, and dental care. Many small animal practices have expanded to include emergency and specialty services like orthopedic surgery or cardiology.

Large animal veterinarians, numbering in the thousands, work primarily with horses, cattle, and other livestock. They may work at mixed-animal practices, on farms, or for agricultural cooperatives. Food animal veterinarians are critical to the agricultural industry and food safety. Government veterinarians work for agencies like the USDA, inspecting meat and poultry, monitoring animal disease, and enforcing animal welfare regulations. Research veterinarians conduct studies in universities and pharmaceutical companies, while academic veterinarians teach at the 32 accredited veterinary schools across the country.

Growth Trends and Job Market Outlook

The veterinary profession is growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for veterinarians will grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade. This growth is driven by several factors: pet ownership remains high, pet owners are spending more on veterinary care, and demand for food safety and animal disease monitoring continues to increase.

However, growth is not uniform across all sectors. Small animal practice is growing steadily as pet ownership remains strong. Large animal and food animal veterinary medicine face different pressures—consolidation in agriculture has reduced the number of farms, but biosecurity concerns and disease monitoring have increased demand for veterinary informed. Rural veterinary medicine remains understaffed, and many rural communities actively recruit veterinarians with loan forgiveness programs and other incentives.

Why the Number of Veterinarians Matters

The number of veterinarians in the country affects how quickly you can get an appointment for your pet, how much veterinary care costs, and how well animal health is monitored across the food supply. In areas with many veterinarians, competition can lead to lower prices and more specialized services. In areas with few veterinarians, you may wait weeks for a routine appointment and have limited options for emergency care.

At a national level, the number of veterinarians also reflects the profession's capacity to respond to animal disease outbreaks, food safety crises, and public health threats like zoonotic diseases. When veterinarian shortages exist in critical areas—such as rural regions or government inspection roles—the entire system becomes more vulnerable. This is why workforce planning and recruitment into veterinary medicine are ongoing concerns for industry leaders and policymakers.

How Veterinarian Numbers Are Tracked

The primary source for veterinarian statistics is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which surveys employers and tracks occupational data. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also maintains detailed membership data and conducts periodic surveys of the profession. State veterinary licensing boards track the number of licensed veterinarians within each state, though these numbers are not always published in a centralized database.

The AVMA publishes an annual report on the veterinary profession that includes workforce data, demographic information, and trends. Individual state boards can provide the exact number of licensed veterinarians in that state if you contact them directly. These sources are more reliable than estimates found on general websites, since they come from the organizations that actually license and track veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many new veterinarians graduate each year?

Approximately 3,500 to 4,000 veterinarians graduate from accredited U.S. veterinary schools each year. This number has remained relatively stable for the past decade, though some schools have expanded their class sizes. Most graduates enter private practice, though some pursue internships, residencies, or positions in government and research.

Is there a shortage of veterinarians in the United States?

There is no nationwide shortage, but shortages exist in specific regions and sectors. Rural areas and large animal medicine face persistent staffing challenges. Some urban areas have an oversupply of small animal veterinarians, while rural communities struggle to recruit and retain veterinarians. The shortage is geographic and specialty-specific rather than universal.

How many veterinarians work in government?

Roughly 5,000 to 8,000 veterinarians work for federal, state, and local government agencies. The largest employer is the USDA, which employs veterinarians in meat inspection, animal disease monitoring, and research. State departments of agriculture and health also employ veterinarians, as do some local health departments.

What percentage of veterinarians are female?

Women now make up approximately 60 percent of the veterinary profession, a significant shift from decades past when the profession was male-dominated. This trend is continuing, with women representing a larger share of veterinary school graduates each year. However, women remain underrepresented in leadership and ownership roles in veterinary practices.

How many veterinarians specialize in exotic animals or wildlife?

The exact number is not tracked separately, but it is a small subset of the profession—likely fewer than 5,000 veterinarians. Exotic animal and wildlife veterinarians often work at zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, research institutions, or in specialized private practices. This is one of the most competitive and specialized areas of veterinary medicine.