Veterinarian: Job Duties, Skills and Salary 2025

What You’ll Learn About Veterinarians

What Does a Veterinarian Do?
Key Duties & Responsibilities
How to Become a Veterinarian
Veterinarian Salary Guide
How to Advance Your Career
Typical Work Environment

What Does a Veterinarian do?

Veterinarians are medical professionals dedicated to the healthcare of animals. They diagnose and treat diseases, perform surgeries, and provide preventative care to a variety of animals ranging from domestic pets to livestock and wildlife. Veterinarians play a key role in public health by controlling zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Their responsibilities extend to educating pet owners on proper care, including nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention. Beyond clinical duties, veterinarians often conduct medical research related to animal health issues, develop public health policies, and contribute to scientific publications on veterinary medicine.

This role is pivotal not only in ensuring the health and welfare of animals but also in supporting the bond between pets and their owners, enhancing livestock production, and safeguarding public health.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Veterinarians in the Healthcare field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

Examine animals to diagnose their health problems and recommend best practice treatment.
Administer vaccinations to prevent common diseases and perform spay and neuter surgeries.
Perform surgical procedures on injured animals.
Prescribe medication and educate pet owners on administering it properly.
Conduct routine check-ups on animals to maintain their health and welfare.
Provide emergency care during accidents or sudden illness.
Euthanize animals when necessary and in the most humane way possible.
Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, and general care to promote health of animals.
Engage in continuing education to stay abreast of the latest veterinary techniques and technology.

How to Become a Veterinarian

Launching a career as a Veterinarian requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.

Qualification

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited program.
State veterinary board certification and a valid license to practice veterinary medicine.
Experience with animals in a clinical setting is highly preferred.
Strong understanding of biology, animal science, and veterinary medicine.
Excellent problem-solving, diagnostic, and surgical skills.

Requirements & Skills

Compassion for animals and sensitivity for the pets’ owners.
Strong communication skills to interact effectively with animal owners and veterinary staff.
Physical stamina for handling large or uncooperative animals.
Ability to make decisions in high-pressure environments and handle the emotional aspects of animal care.
Dedication to lifelong learning to keep up with new medical information and technologies.

Veterinarian Salary Guide

Wondering what Veterinarians earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.

Job	Branch	Avg. US Salary
Veterinarian	Healthcare	95,000 USD

The average salary for a Veterinarian in the U.S. is approximately $95,000 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Veterinarians may receive a wide range of benefits.

Veterinarian Salary Career Steps

Level	Experience	Avg. Salary per Year
Veteran	20+ years	$118,750
Senior	11+ years	$104,500
Experienced	6-10 years	$95,000
Mid Level	3-5 years	$85,500
Entry Level	0-2 years	$71,250

To explore more detailed salary information, including specific salary estimates in your country, visit the Veterinarian Salary Country Overview.

How to Advance Your Career

Veterinarians can specialize in areas such as small animal care, large animal care, exotic animal medicine, or wildlife medicine. Opportunities for advancement include becoming board certified in a specialty area, owning a veterinary practice, or taking roles in academia or research. Some veterinarians move into related fields such as pharmaceuticals, veterinary product sales, or roles within governmental agencies that focus on public health and food safety.

Typical Work Environment

Veterinarians work in a variety of settings including animal hospitals, private clinics, and animal shelters. Some work in laboratories, universities, or wildlife sanctuaries. The job can be physically demanding and sometimes emotionally stressful, especially when dealing with injured animals or euthanasia. Working hours can be long and may include nights, weekends, and emergency calls.