Occupation Profile | NC Careers.org

Annual Salary (Wages)

Lower End Wage (10th Percentile)

$76,053($36.56/hr)

Middle Wage (50th Percentile)

$126,920($61.01/hr)

Higher End Wage (90th Percentile)

$173,413($83.37/hr)

Ratings

Wage (5/5)
*****$
Job Openings (3/5)
***$--
Job Growth Rate (5/5)
*****$
Experience Level (5/5)
*****$

Common Job Titles

Relief Veterinarian (Relief Vet)
Technical Services Veterinarian (Technical Services Vet)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Equine Vet (Equine Veterinarian)
Veterinary Surgeon (Vet Surgeon)
Wildlife Veterinarian (Wildlife Vet)
Large Animal Veterinarian (Large Animal Vet)
Small Animal Veterinarian (Small Animal Vet)
Veterinary Medicine Doctor (DVM)
Zoo Veterinarian (Zoo Vet)
Companion Animal Practitioner
Emergency Veterinarian (Emergency Vet)
Mixed Animal Veterinarian (Mixed Animal Vet)
Veterinary Surgical Specialist (Vet Surgical Specialist)
Veterinary Microbiologist (Vet Microbiologist)
Veterinary Pathologist (Vet Pathologist)
Animal Anatomist
Animal Pathologist
Animal Physiologist
Animal Surgeon
Horse Doctor
Laboratory Veterinarian (Lab Vet)
Public Health Veterinarian (Public Health Vet)
Veterinarian Epidemiologist (Vet Epidemiologist)
Veterinary Bacteriologist (Vet Bacteriologist)
Veterinary Dentist (Vet Dentist)
Veterinary Inspector (Vet Inspector)
Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostician (Vet Lab Diagnostician)
Veterinary Radiologist (Vet Radiologist)
Veterinary Toxicologist (Vet Toxicologist)
Animal Chiropractor
Animal Doctor
Equine Dentist
Laboratory Animal Care Veterinarian (Lab Animal Care Vet)
Poultry Veterinarian (Poultry Vet)
Treatment Coordinator
Veterinary Anatomist (Vet Anatomist)
Veterinary Cardiologist
Veterinary Epidemiologist (Vet Epidemiologist)
Veterinary Livestock Inspector (Vet Livestock Inspector)
Veterinary Meat Inspector (Vet Meat Inspector)
Veterinary Medicine Scientist (Vet Medicine Scientist)
Veterinary Parasitologist (Vet Parasitologist)
Veterinary Pharmacologist (Vet Pharmacologist)
Veterinary Physiologist (Vet Physiologist)
Veterinary Virus Serum Inspector (Vet Virus Serum Inspector)

Similar Occupations

Occupation Code

291131 - Veterinarians

Pathway

Therapeutic Services

NCDPI Career Pathways

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Annual Median Wage
$ 126,920
$76,053 $173,413
Annual NC Wage Range
Growth Rate
Very Fast Growing

Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.
What do they typically do
Examine animals to assess their health and diagnose problems
Treat and dress wounds
Perform surgery on animals
Test for and vaccinate against diseases
Operate medical equipment, such as x-ray machines
Advise animal owners about general care, medical conditions, and treatments
Prescribe medication
Euthanize animals
Number of Jobs
Average Annual
Job Growth +2.4%
Job Opening 3
Job Listings
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Education & Training
Education
Most require a graduate degree like a master's, Ph.D., M.D., or law degree.
Associated Programs or Majors
License
Art Of Healing Privilege
Temporary Veterinary License
Veterinary License
Wildlife Rehabilitation License
More
NC Workforce Credentials
Private Training Programs
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Interests

Realistic
Investigative

Work Place

Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. Others travel to farms or work in settings such as laboratories, classrooms, or zoos. Veterinarians who treat horses or food animals travel between their offices and farms and ranches. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather and may have to perform surgery, often in remote locations. Veterinarians who work in food safety and inspection travel to farms, slaughterhouses, and food-processing plants to inspect the health of animals and to ensure that the facility follows safety protocols. The work can be emotionally stressful, as veterinarians care for abused animals, euthanize sick ones, and offer support to the animals' anxious owners. Working on farms and ranches, in slaughterhouses, or with wildlife can also be physically demanding. When working with animals that are frightened or in pain, veterinarians risk being bitten, kicked, and scratched. In addition, veterinarians working with diseased animals risk being infected by the disease. Most veterinarians work full time, often working more than 40 hours per week. Some work nights or weekends, and they may have to respond to emergencies outside of scheduled work hours.

Top Skills & Abilities

Science
Process Improvement
Active Learning
Mathematics
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Managing People
Customer Service
Active Listening

Knowledge/Specialties

Medicine and Dentistry
Biology
Chemistry
Therapy and Counseling
Personnel and Human Resources
Psychology
Customer and Personal Service
Sales and Marketing
Economics and Accounting
Mathematics

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed. Many require more than five years of experience.

Training

May need some on-the-job training, but most assume you will already have the required skills, knowledge, experience, and training.

Annual NC Wage Range

What do they typically do

Number of Jobs

Job Listings

Education & Training

By Goal Career

By Current Occupation