The Current Number of Licensed Veterinarians

The United States has approximately 115,000 to 120,000 licensed veterinarians, though the exact count shifts year to year as new graduates enter the field and others retire. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks this number through employment surveys, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) maintains a registry of licensed practitioners. Both sources report similar figures, but neither publishes a real-time count — the most recent detailed snapshot comes from the AVMA's annual census, which lags by a year or two.

The profession has grown steadily. In 2010, the United States had roughly 84,000 veterinarians. The increase reflects both population growth and rising pet ownership, which has driven demand for companion animal care. Veterinary schools have also expanded their class sizes and opened new programs, particularly in the last decade.

Key Takeaways

  • The United States has between 115,000 and 120,000 licensed veterinarians, with the exact number changing as new graduates complete their degrees and licensing exams each year.
  • About 80 percent of veterinarians work in private practice, treating pets, livestock, or both, while the remainder work in government, research, education, or industry.
  • The profession has grown by roughly 35,000 veterinarians since 2010, driven by increased pet ownership and the opening of new veterinary schools.
  • Veterinarian density varies widely by state and region — rural areas often have fewer practitioners per capita than cities and suburbs.

Where Veterinarians Work

The majority of veterinarians — roughly 80 percent — work in private practice. This includes small-animal clinics that treat dogs and cats, large-animal practices focused on horses and livestock, and mixed practices that handle both. Private practitioners are self-employed or work as associates for clinic owners.

The remaining 20 percent work outside private practice. This includes veterinarians employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in food safety and animal health roles, those in research positions at universities or pharmaceutical companies, veterinarians in military service, and those in zoo or exotic animal medicine. Government positions tend to be more stable and offer different schedules than private practice, though they typically pay less than established private clinics.

How Veterinarian Numbers Vary by State

Veterinarian density is not evenly distributed across the country. States with large urban populations and high pet ownership — California, Texas, Florida, and New York — have the most veterinarians in absolute numbers. However, when you account for population size, states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Montana have higher veterinarian-to-resident ratios.

Rural areas consistently report shortages. A county with 50,000 people might have two or three veterinary clinics, while a suburb of the same size could have a dozen. This gap matters most for livestock owners and farmers, who may travel 30 miles or more to reach a large-animal veterinarian. Some rural areas have seen veterinary clinics close in recent years as older practitioners retire and younger graduates prefer urban or suburban locations.

Growth in Veterinary Education

The number of veterinarians has risen partly because more veterinary schools now exist. In 2000, the United States had 28 accredited veterinary schools. As of 2024, that number has grown to 34, with several newer programs in states that previously had none. Each school typically graduates 50 to 150 students per year, depending on size.

Admission to veterinary school remains highly competitive. Most programs require a strong science background, veterinary experience (often through internships or volunteer work), and competitive entrance exam scores. The four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree is the standard credential, and graduates must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to practice.

Specialization and Advanced Credentials

Within the 115,000-plus veterinarians, a smaller subset holds board certification in a specialty. These include surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, cardiology, and dozens of other fields. Specialists typically complete a residency program after their DVM, which adds two to four years of training. Specialty credentials come from organizations like the American College of Veterinary Surgeons or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Specialists make up roughly 5 to 10 percent of the profession and tend to work in referral hospitals or university teaching hospitals rather than general practice. They command higher fees and often see cases that general practitioners refer to them.

Projected Growth and Future Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for veterinarians will grow by about 5 percent over the next decade, roughly in line with overall job growth. This is driven by continued pet ownership, an aging pet population requiring more medical care, and growing interest in preventive health services for animals.

However, the profession faces a geographic mismatch: demand for veterinarians in rural areas is not being met by supply, while urban and suburban markets are becoming more saturated. Some rural areas have begun offering loan forgiveness programs or other incentives to attract new graduates, similar to programs that recruit doctors to underserved regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many veterinarians are there per 100,000 people in the US?

The ratio is roughly 35 to 40 veterinarians per 100,000 people nationally, but this varies significantly by state. Urban states may have 50 or more per 100,000, while rural states may have 20 or fewer. The ratio is lower in states with large agricultural areas and fewer cities.

Do all 115,000 veterinarians treat pets?

No. While the majority work in private practice treating companion animals, many focus on livestock, poultry, or horses. Others work in food safety inspection, research, or public health. The AVMA tracks these categories separately in its census data.

Are there more veterinarians now than 10 years ago?

Yes, significantly more. The profession has grown by roughly 30,000 to 35,000 veterinarians since 2010. This reflects both new graduates from expanded veterinary schools and increased demand for veterinary services as pet ownership has risen.

Why are there fewer veterinarians in rural areas?

New graduates tend to settle in or near cities where they trained, where job options are more plentiful, and where earning potential is often higher. Rural practices require longer hours, serve a smaller client base, and may involve more emergency calls. Some rural clinics have closed as older owners retired without successors to take over.

What credential do I need to check to confirm a veterinarian is licensed?

Look for the letters DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) or VMD (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris — the same degree with a different abbreviation) after their name. You can also verify licensure through your state's veterinary medical board website, which maintains a public registry of licensed practitioners.