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How easy is it to get hired as a veterinarian?
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello CVOH,
The difficulty of getting hired as a veterinarian can vary based on several factors, but overall, it is a competitive field.
Veterinarians are medical professionals who diagnose and treat animals, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of animals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected due to an increasing population of pets and their owners’ willingness to spend on their medical care.
However, despite this positive job outlook, becoming a veterinarian requires significant education and training. To become a veterinarian, one must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. This typically takes four years to complete after earning a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years to finish. Thus, it takes at least eight years of postsecondary education to become a veterinarian.
Additionally, admission to veterinary schools is highly competitive. According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), the average acceptance rate for veterinary schools in the United States was only 13.6% in 2019-2020. Therefore, it is essential to have a strong academic record, especially in science courses, as well as relevant experience working with animals to increase one’s chances of getting accepted into a veterinary program.
Once a DVM degree is earned, passing state licensing exams is required to practice veterinary medicine legally. Some states may also require continuing education to maintain licensure.
Given the significant education and training required to become a veterinarian, as well as the competitive nature of admissions to veterinary schools, it can be challenging to get hired as a veterinarian. However, with a strong academic record, relevant experience, and determination, it is possible to pursue this rewarding career and make a positive impact on the lives of animals and their owners.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
The difficulty of getting hired as a veterinarian can vary based on several factors, but overall, it is a competitive field.
Veterinarians are medical professionals who diagnose and treat animals, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of animals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected due to an increasing population of pets and their owners’ willingness to spend on their medical care.
However, despite this positive job outlook, becoming a veterinarian requires significant education and training. To become a veterinarian, one must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. This typically takes four years to complete after earning a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years to finish. Thus, it takes at least eight years of postsecondary education to become a veterinarian.
Additionally, admission to veterinary schools is highly competitive. According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), the average acceptance rate for veterinary schools in the United States was only 13.6% in 2019-2020. Therefore, it is essential to have a strong academic record, especially in science courses, as well as relevant experience working with animals to increase one’s chances of getting accepted into a veterinary program.
Once a DVM degree is earned, passing state licensing exams is required to practice veterinary medicine legally. Some states may also require continuing education to maintain licensure.
Given the significant education and training required to become a veterinarian, as well as the competitive nature of admissions to veterinary schools, it can be challenging to get hired as a veterinarian. However, with a strong academic record, relevant experience, and determination, it is possible to pursue this rewarding career and make a positive impact on the lives of animals and their owners.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Nirah Shomer, DVM PhD DACLAM
Senior leader in laboratory animal science, animal welfare, and regulatory compliance
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Nirah’s Answer
Right now, there are more jobs for veterinarians than there are qualified vets, so it is relatively easy, and many practices offer hiring bonuses to attract qualified veterinarians. A new graduate right out of vet school should anticipate being able to get many competitive offers, assuming they want to live and work somewhere where there is a relatively normal need for veterinarians. The 10 year outlook for veterinary jobs, according to the United States Bureau of labor statistics, is for there to continue to be fast growth and creation of more jobs for vets. If you are currently a junior in high school, 10 years is about when you would be graduating as a new vet.
So, it’s potentially a great field to get into, assuming that you can get into vet school and do the hard work to complete the eight years of post high school education required.
If you are already a junior in high school, you need to start planning now for what college you will attend and what classes you will take that will make you eligible to get into vet school. Talk to the guidance counselor at your high school for more specific information. You will also find that this is a commonly asked question here at Career Village, so search through questions about veterinary school entry requirements for more information.
If you are curious about veterinary jobs where you live, or somewhere you would like to live someday, I suggest you go to a job site like indeed.com and put in “veterinarian.” You’ll be able to see directly what kind of salaries, job offers, and numbers of that job are open in your location.
So, it’s potentially a great field to get into, assuming that you can get into vet school and do the hard work to complete the eight years of post high school education required.
If you are already a junior in high school, you need to start planning now for what college you will attend and what classes you will take that will make you eligible to get into vet school. Talk to the guidance counselor at your high school for more specific information. You will also find that this is a commonly asked question here at Career Village, so search through questions about veterinary school entry requirements for more information.
If you are curious about veterinary jobs where you live, or somewhere you would like to live someday, I suggest you go to a job site like indeed.com and put in “veterinarian.” You’ll be able to see directly what kind of salaries, job offers, and numbers of that job are open in your location.
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