The current veterinarian workforce in the United States

There are approximately 115,000 to 120,000 licensed veterinarians working in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This number includes veterinarians in private practice, government agencies, research facilities, academia, and industry. The exact count shifts year to year as new graduates enter the field and others retire or change careers.

The veterinary profession has grown steadily over the past two decades. In 2000, the workforce was closer to 60,000 veterinarians. The increase reflects both population growth and rising pet ownership, which has driven demand for companion animal veterinarians in particular.

Not all of these veterinarians work full-time. Some work part-time, in consulting roles, or split their time between multiple employers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts anyone with an active veterinary license who is working in the field, regardless of hours.

Key Takeaways

  • The United States has roughly 115,000 to 120,000 licensed veterinarians, with numbers growing steadily since 2000.
  • Companion animal veterinarians (those treating pets) make up the largest share of the workforce, followed by food animal and equine practitioners.
  • Veterinarian density varies widely by state and region, with some rural areas facing shortages while urban areas have higher concentrations.
  • The profession is projected to grow faster than average job growth through the next decade, driven by pet ownership and livestock health demands.

Where veterinarians work and what they do

The majority of veterinarians — roughly 75 to 80 percent — work in private practice. This includes small-animal clinics treating dogs and cats, mixed-animal practices serving both pets and livestock, and large-animal facilities focused on horses, cattle, and other farm animals.

The remaining 20 to 25 percent work in other settings. Government veterinarians work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state animal health departments, and public health agencies. Research veterinarians conduct studies in universities, pharmaceutical companies, and independent laboratories. Some work in zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, or military veterinary corps. Others move into management, consulting, or teaching roles.

The split between these sectors has shifted over time. Companion animal practice has grown significantly, while the number of food animal veterinarians has remained relatively flat despite consolidation in agriculture.

How veterinarian numbers vary by state and region

Veterinarian density is not evenly distributed across the country. States with large urban centers and high pet ownership — California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania — have the highest absolute numbers of veterinarians. However, the ratio of veterinarians to population varies considerably.

Rural states and regions often face veterinarian shortages, particularly for large-animal and food animal practice. A county with significant cattle operations may have only one or two large-animal veterinarians serving hundreds of square miles. Some rural areas have seen veterinary clinics close in recent years as older practitioners retire without replacements moving in.

Urban and suburban areas typically have more veterinarians per capita, which can mean shorter wait times for appointments but also more competition among practices. Coastal states and the upper Midwest tend to have higher concentrations of veterinarians relative to population.

Why the veterinarian workforce is growing

Pet ownership in the United States has remained high and stable, with roughly 67 percent of households owning a pet. As pet owners spend more on veterinary care — including preventive medicine, dental work, and specialty treatments — demand for veterinarians has increased.

The profession has also become more attractive to new graduates. Veterinary medicine now draws more women than men, a shift that began in the 1990s and has continued. Salaries have risen in many sectors, particularly in specialty practices and urban areas, making the profession more competitive with other healthcare fields.

At the same time, the number of veterinary schools has grown modestly. The United States had 28 accredited veterinary schools in 2024, up from 27 a decade earlier. Each school graduates between 75 and 150 veterinarians per year, depending on class size and program structure.

Projected growth and future workforce needs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that veterinarian employment will grow by 5 to 7 percent over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven primarily by continued pet ownership and demand for companion animal services.

Food animal veterinarians are in shorter supply relative to need, particularly in regions with large livestock operations. Some agricultural areas report difficulty finding veterinarians willing to relocate, creating ongoing gaps in service availability.

Specialty veterinarians — those trained in surgery, oncology, cardiology, or other advanced fields — are also in high demand. These positions typically require additional training beyond the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and are concentrated in urban teaching hospitals and referral centers.

How veterinarian numbers are counted and tracked

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects employment data on veterinarians through the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, which surveys employers across all sectors. State veterinary licensing boards maintain records of all licensed practitioners, though these numbers sometimes include inactive licenses or veterinarians who have moved out of state.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) conducts periodic surveys of the profession and publishes workforce data. Their figures typically align with Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates but may differ slightly depending on methodology and timing.

These counts do not include veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, or other support staff. The veterinary support workforce is roughly three to four times larger than the veterinarian workforce itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a shortage of veterinarians in the United States?

There is no overall shortage of veterinarians nationally, but shortages exist in specific regions and specialties. Rural areas, particularly those dependent on livestock, often struggle to recruit and retain large-animal veterinarians. Specialty practices in urban areas also report difficulty filling positions.

How many new veterinarians graduate each year?

U.S. veterinary schools graduate approximately 3,500 to 4,000 new veterinarians annually. This number has remained relatively stable over the past decade, though individual school class sizes vary. Not all graduates remain in the United States; some pursue opportunities abroad.

What percentage of veterinarians are female?

Women now make up roughly 60 to 65 percent of veterinary school graduates and an increasing share of the overall workforce. Among younger veterinarians (under 40), women outnumber men significantly. The profession has shifted from male-dominated to female-majority over the past 20 years.

Do veterinarian numbers include part-time workers?

Yes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics counts all licensed veterinarians working in the field, including those working part-time. However, employment figures are sometimes reported in full-time equivalents, which adjusts for part-time hours. The distinction matters when comparing workforce size across different time periods.

How many veterinarians work in government or research?

Roughly 5,000 to 7,000 veterinarians work in government agencies, primarily the USDA and state departments of agriculture. Another 2,000 to 3,000 work in research, academia, or industry roles. The exact numbers fluctuate based on funding and policy priorities.