How many years does it take to become a veterinarian?
Depending on the path you choose, it can take up to 7-9 years: 3-5 years to complete a bachelor's degree plus four years to complete the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
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How can I know if I am being paid fairly as a veterinarian?
If you're unsure about what salary is appropriate for a veterinarian position, visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.
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What degree should I take to be a veterinarian?
Aspiring veterinarians must hold a bachelor's degree focusing on animal behavior, chemistry, biology, zoology, physiology, microbiology and anatomy before moving on to veterinary medicine school.
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Do veterinarians get paid more than doctors?
No, doctors earn higher average salaries than veterinarians.
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Where do veterinarians work?
Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. Some are field veterinarians where they travel to farms, ranches or laboratories or zoos.
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What states pay the most for veterinarians?
Refer here for the latest information on what states pay the highest for veterinarians.
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What are the different types of veterinarians?
The different types of veterinarian are:
Mixed Practice Veterinarian
Lab Animal Medicine Veterinarian
Small Animal Veterinarian (domestic pets)
Large Animal Veterinarian (livestock including cows, sheep, etc.)
Specialty Veterinarian (animal cardiologist, ophthalmologist or dentist)
Wildlife Veterinarians
Research Veterinarians
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Is it hard to become a veterinarian?
Yes, becoming a veterinarian for some can be hard due to the following:
Admission to veterinary programs is competitive and the cost of tuition and board are high.
Training for the specialty will require an additional of 2-4 years of training and the handling of animals can be difficult at times
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What are the important skills that a veterinarian should have?
Some important skills that a veterinarian should have are:
Compassion toward animals
Communication skills
Critical thinking and problem solving abilities
Time management and organizational skills
Scientific ability
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How much do similar professions to veterinarian get paid?
Check the below Indeed career pages for the detailed pay ranges for the similar professions to veterinarians here:
Most veterinarians work full-time and work over 40 hours per week. They can work nights or weekends and they are expected to respond to emergencies outside of their work schedule.
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Is it hard to get into veterinary schools?
Yes, it can be hard to get into veterinary schools as there is a lot of competition. Some veterinary schools require aspiring veterinarians to have previous work experience in veterinary clinics or have experience dealing with animals in an animal shelter, farm, stable or similar.
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Does it take longer to become a veterinarian compared to becoming a doctor?
It takes almost as much time to train to become a veterinarian as it does to become a doctor. Both are required to complete a bachelor's degree and pursue a four-year medical degree. Both are also required to pass their respective licensure examination to start practicing in their field.
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What does a veterinarian do on a daily basis?
Most veterinarians perform the following daily:
Examine animals to assess their health and diagnose problems
Prescribe medication
Test for and vaccinate against diseases
Treat and dress wounds
Perform surgery on animals
Operate medical equipment, such as x-ray machines
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Can I enroll in veterinary schools without an undergraduate degree?
Yes, in few cases, some veterinary schools allow students to apply after they finished the required coursework, but the majority of veterinary colleges do require candidates to complete a bachelor's degree in animal behavior, biology or similar to be admitted as a student.
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Do all veterinarians perform surgical procedures?
No, not all veterinarians perform surgery. While all veterinarians have basic training surgery during their graduate program, there are required certifications for veterinarians to perform surgery for large and small animals. Veterinarians who encounter conditions requiring surgery can refer the procedure to certified veterinary surgeons.
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Can someone enroll in a veterinary school immediately after high school?
No, aspiring veterinarians are required to do more preparation after they complete high school. They should take advanced subjects in animal behavior, biology, zoology or similar.
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Is it stressful to work as a veterinarian?
Working as a veterinarian can be emotionally stressful as they care for mistreated animals and sometimes have to euthanize terminally ill ones. Field veterinarian jobs can be physically demanding as they need to travel longer distances to farms, ranches, zoos and slaughterhouses.
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What is the job outlook for veterinarians?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 18% growth in demand for veterinarians until 2028.
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What professional organizations can veterinarians join?
Veterinarians can join the following professional organizations to help them to advance in their field:
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Animal Hospital Association
American Association of Bovine Practitioners
American Association of Mobile Veterinary Practitioners
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How can veterinarians increase their salaries?
There are a few ways veterinarians can increase income. They can:
Increase the transaction charges - for those in private practice.
Get advanced specializations or certifications
Become a business owner
Work more hours
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How can veterinarians advance their careers?
Veterinarians can advance their careers by focusing on a medical specialization, pursuing a teaching job in a college or university, or moving into a full-time research role as medical scientists.
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Where can I find a job as a veterinarian?
Veterinarians can visit websites like Indeed where there are thousands of jobs posted weekly.
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When should someone start obtaining work experience to be a veterinarian?
Students considering a veterinarian career should begin obtaining veterinary medical and animal experience as soon as possible in animal shelters, farms, zoos and animal clinics.
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Are aspiring veterinarians required to complete academic coursework before they submit an application for graduate studies?
No, aspiring veterinarians can apply for a graduate degree before they finish their coursework. However, they need to complete the coursework before the start of the graduate study admission.
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How do veterinarians keep themselves updated with the latest developments in animal medicine?
Veterinarians should read professional journals for animal medicine and attend veterinary conferences to be updated with the latest veterinary medicine trends.
