Veterinarian Salary Information

The salaries earned by veterinarians are as wide-ranging as the type of work they do. Generally, veterinarians provide health care to animals, diagnosing and treating diseases. They work with dogs, cats, exotic pets, zoo animals and livestock. Veterinarians may do very specific work, like research, technical writing or consultation. Veterinarians can provide technical services to commercial companies, testing or selling products.

 

Type

  • There are many types of veterinarians, just like there are many types of doctors. The average salary of a veterinarian depends upon the work they do. Some veterinarians take care of farm animals and some study disease transmission by insects. Veterinarians can specialize in surgery, pharmacology, research or care of family pets. Because the field of veterinary medicine is so varied, it is difficult to cite an average salary for a "typical" veterinarian.

Experience

  • The amount of career experience of a veterinarian has a great impact on their annual salary. Veterinarian salaries increase with the number of years practicing and it is a stable career choice with many possibilities to advance. The average salary for a veterinarian, considering data from across specialties and experience levels, is $75,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beginning veterinarians earn between $25,000 to $35,000 annually. Six to 10 years of experience raises the annual salary to the $75,000 range.

Location

  • Annual earnings for veterinarians varies across the U.S. On either coast, salaries are generally high. Veterinarians in New York City earn the highest annual salaries. Rural veterinarians practicing in livestock-raising regions also earn substantial salaries.

Employer

  • Veterinarians working for veterinary care franchises are generally the lowest paid, earning about $30,000 a year. This salary range is comparable to the salary earned by veterinarians working at a university or college. The highest-paid veterinarians are generally self-employed, with salaries exceeding $100,000 annually.

Considerations

  • Veterinarians have the potential to earn substantial salaries, but the investment in a veterinary medicine education is also substantial. Veterinarians must earn an undergraduate degree, then graduate from a four-year program to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or DVM. Many new veterinarians work as low-paid interns for at least one year. If a veterinarian intends on specializing, they must complete three to four years of residency training.

Read more: Veterinarian Average Salary | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5452575_veterinarian-average-salary.html#ixzz1gkjrj9P8