The current number of veterinarians in the US

The United States has roughly 110,000 to 115,000 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 show the profession has grown steadily over the past two decades, driven by rising pet ownership and expanding roles for vets in food safety, public health, and research.

The count varies depending on how you measure it. Some veterinarians work full-time in clinics or hospitals. Others split their time between multiple employers, work part-time, or focus on teaching, research, or government positions. A veterinarian may also hold a license but not actively practice, which affects how different organizations report the total.

Key Takeaways

  • The United States has approximately 110,000 to 115,000 licensed veterinarians, with numbers growing each year as new graduates complete their training.
  • The majority of veterinarians work in private practice, treating companion animals like dogs and cats, though many specialize in livestock, exotic animals, or laboratory medicine.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Veterinary Medical Association are the two main sources for official veterinarian employment data.
  • Veterinarian numbers have increased significantly over the past 20 years due to higher pet ownership, more women entering the profession, and expanded roles in public health and food safety.

Where veterinarians work and what they do

About 75 to 80 percent of veterinarians in the US work in private practice, meaning they own or are employed by animal hospitals and clinics. These practices range from small single-veterinarian operations to large multi-location chains. Most serve companion animals—dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds—though some specialize in equine (horse) medicine or exotic pets.

The remaining 20 to 25 percent work in other settings: government agencies like the USDA and FDA, university veterinary schools, research laboratories, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and pharmaceutical companies. Food animal veterinarians work on farms and ranches, inspecting livestock and managing herd health. Public health veterinarians track disease outbreaks and food safety. This diversity means the total number of vets reflects not just pet care but also agriculture, environmental protection, and disease prevention.

How the profession has grown over time

In 2000, the US had roughly 60,000 licensed veterinarians. By 2010, that number had grown to about 85,000. Today it stands near 115,000—an increase of nearly 90 percent in two decades. This growth outpaces the growth of the human population, meaning more veterinarians per capita than in previous generations.

Several factors drive this expansion. Pet ownership has risen, and pet owners spend more on veterinary care than they did 20 years ago. The profession has also become more female-dominated: women now make up roughly 60 percent of veterinary school graduates, compared to about 25 percent in the 1980s. Additionally, new roles have emerged in areas like exotic animal medicine, rehabilitation and physical therapy for pets, and behavioral consultation—specialties that did not exist or were rare decades ago.

Regional differences in veterinarian density

Veterinarians are not evenly distributed across the country. Urban and suburban areas have higher concentrations of veterinary clinics and more veterinarians per capita. Rural areas, particularly in the Great Plains and parts of the Mountain West, often have fewer veterinarians relative to the number of farms and ranches. Some rural counties have only one or two large-animal veterinarians serving hundreds of square miles.

This uneven distribution creates challenges. Rural livestock producers sometimes travel long distances for veterinary services, and some areas struggle to attract new graduates. Conversely, urban markets can be saturated, making it harder for new practices to establish themselves. The AVMA and state veterinary boards track these gaps and sometimes offer loan forgiveness or other incentives to encourage veterinarians to practice in underserved regions.

How veterinarian numbers are counted and reported

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes employment data for veterinarians as part of its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. This survey covers about one-third of all US employers and is updated annually. The AVMA maintains its own database of licensed veterinarians by state, compiled from state veterinary licensing boards. Both sources are reliable but may differ slightly because they use different methodologies and timing.

State licensing boards are the official record-keepers. Every veterinarian must be licensed in the state where they practice, and each state reports its numbers to the AVMA. However, a veterinarian licensed in one state may also hold licenses in other states, which can create overlap in some counts. The AVMA's official registry attempts to deduplicate these records, but the exact number of unique practicing veterinarians is difficult to pin down with absolute precision.

Projected growth and future demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for veterinarians will grow about 5 percent over the next decade, roughly in line with overall job growth. This assumes continued pet ownership and spending on pet care. However, some forecasters note that veterinary school capacity may limit how many new veterinarians enter the field each year—there are only 32 accredited veterinary schools in the US, and admission is highly competitive.

Demand for veterinarians in areas like exotic animal medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, and public health is expected to outpace demand in traditional small-animal practice. Food animal veterinarians remain in short supply in many regions, despite lower overall growth in that sector. The profession is also seeing increased interest in specialization, with more veterinarians pursuing board certification in areas like surgery, dermatology, or oncology.

Why the number of veterinarians matters

The size of the veterinary workforce affects how quickly you can get an appointment, how much veterinary care costs, and whether specialized services are available in your area. In areas with many veterinarians, competition can keep prices lower and appointment wait times shorter. In areas with few veterinarians, you may wait weeks for a routine visit or travel significant distances for emergency care.

The number also reflects broader trends in pet ownership, agricultural practices, and public health priorities. As Americans spend more on pet care and as food safety and disease surveillance become more important, the demand for veterinarians continues to rise. Understanding how many veterinarians work in the US and where they are located can help you anticipate availability and plan ahead for your animal's care needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many veterinarians are there per capita in the US?

With roughly 115,000 veterinarians and a US population of about 330 million, there is approximately one veterinarian for every 2,900 people. However, this varies widely by region—urban areas may have one veterinarian per 1,500 people, while rural areas might have one per 10,000 or more.

Is there a shortage of veterinarians in the US?

There is no nationwide shortage, but shortages exist in specific areas and specialties. Rural regions and food animal medicine face particular gaps. Some urban markets have more veterinarians than demand supports, while rural areas struggle to attract practitioners.

How many veterinarians graduate each year?

US veterinary schools graduate approximately 3,500 to 3,800 new veterinarians annually. This number has remained relatively stable for the past decade, limited by the number of accredited schools and their enrollment capacity.

Which states have the most veterinarians?

California, Texas, Florida, and New York have the highest absolute numbers of veterinarians because they have large populations and high pet ownership. However, states like Vermont and Wyoming have higher veterinarians per capita relative to their smaller populations.

Are there more male or female veterinarians in the US?

Women now make up roughly 60 percent of veterinary school graduates, but the overall profession is still slightly more male because many older veterinarians are men. Within the next 10 to 15 years, women will likely outnumber men in the total veterinarian workforce.