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What is an associate veterinarian and how to become one
An associate veterinarian is a medical expert who treats animals. They work for other, usually more experienced veterinarians instead of owning and operating their own clinic.
Their duties include examining and diagnosing patients, treating diseases, disorders, and injuries, performing veterinary surgery, maintaining medical records, and performing more common tasks, such as inventory checks. A Veterinarian often continues to learn on the job and is mentored by the clinic's senior members.
A person hoping to begin their career as an Associate Veterinarian will need to have at least a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or a DVM, as well as licensing by the government to perform their job. A Bachelor's degree in zoology or animal science or a similar subject is necessary to apply for and enter into a veterinary program. Later on, in higher positions, additional certification and education might be required, as well as a specialty of some sorts, such as veterinary anesthetics, animal behavior, or clinical pharmacology.
Avg. Salary $78,407
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 19%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.26%
Asian 4.88%
Black or African American 1.41%
Hispanic or Latino 6.17%
Unknown 4.32%
White 82.96%
Genderfemale 71.95%
male 28.05%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Associate Veterinarian career paths
Key steps to become an associate veterinarian
Explore associate veterinarian education requirements
Start to develop specific associate veterinarian skills
Skills Percentages PET 39.75% Patients 15.68% Private Practice 14.38% DVM 5.17% Medical Care 2.47% Complete relevant associate veterinarian training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New associate veterinarians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an associate veterinarian based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real associate veterinarian resumes.Research associate veterinarian duties and responsibilities
- Educate clients on their pet's medical conditions and enable owners to manage their pet's diseases with appropriate home care.
- Manage client concerns and communicate important details about quality pet care.
- Manage wildlife rehabilitation program for native species, including state and federal rehabilitation licenses for the practice.
- Discuss plans for bringing in acupuncture and rehabilitation practice.
Apply for associate veterinarian jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an associate veterinarian job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Associate Veterinarian Job
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Average associate veterinarian salary
The average Associate Veterinarian salary in the United States is $78,407 per year or $38 per hour. Associate veterinarian salaries range between $41,000 and $149,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do associate veterinarians rate their job?
Associate Veterinarian reviews
Cons: losing a animal.
Updated January 8, 2025
