| Quick Facts: Veterinarians | |
|---|---|
| 2012 Median Pay | $84,460 per year $40.61 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2012 | 70,300 |
| Job Outlook, 2012-22 | 12% (As fast as average) |
| Employment Change, 2012-22 | 8,400 |
What Veterinarians Do
Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.
Work Environment
Although most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals, others travel to farms, work in laboratories or classrooms, or work for the government.
How to Become a Veterinarian
Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college and a state license.
Pay
The median annual wage for veterinarians was $84,460 in May 2012.
Job Outlook
Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Candidates can expect very strong competition for available veterinarian positions. Those with specializations and prior work experience should have the best job opportunities.
