The veterinary profession is a great choice for animal lovers. After all, if you love animals, what could be better than working with animals every day? However, veterinary school isn’t cheap, and you’ll have to pay back your student loans somehow. Therefore, before you make the decision to become a veterinarian, you should make sure that you understand the veterinary job market. In this article, we discuss whether veterinarians are currently in demand.
Job Outlook for Veterinarians
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for veterinarians will rise by 18% from 2018 to 2028—a figure that is far higher than the average growth for all occupations.
There are several reasons for this increased need for veterinarians. One reason for the growth of the veterinary profession is that people are spending more on pet care. Another reason is that the medical procedures available to pets are becoming more complicated. In fact, the procedures available to pets are now comparable to those available to people. Given the increase in available procedures and people’s willingness to spend more on their pets, it’s safe to say that, yes, veterinarians are in demand.
Veterinary Career Paths
Not only is the veterinary job market strong, but those considering a career in veterinary medicine have several career paths from which to choose, including:
- Private clinical practice
- Corporate clinical practice
- Teaching and research
- Regulatory medicine
- Public health
Veterinary Salaries
As noted above, veterinary school is expensive. In fact, the average student loan balance owed by a veterinarian after finishing school is around $144,000. Of course, veterinarians aren’t alone when it comes to student debt. Lawyers, doctors, and even dentists routinely leave school with six figures of student loan debt. Therefore, if you are considering attending veterinary school, it’s important to have a fairly accurate idea of what type of salary you can expect to make. According to BLS, the median veterinary salary is around $94,000. However, veterinary salaries can range from around $56,000 on the low end to around $162,000 on the high end.
The Bottom Line
The veterinary profession can be highly rewarding, both personally and professionally. And the job outlook for the veterinary profession is strong. However, if you’re considering attending veterinary school, you should do a careful cost analysis to ensure that becoming a veterinarian is in your financial best interests.
Contact Our Experienced Veterinary Practice Consulting Attorneys
A career as a veterinarian can be highly rewarding. However, the veterinary profession isn’t without its risks, particularly if you are a veterinary practice owner. If you own your own veterinary practice, the best way to manage the risks inherit in being a business owner is to contact an experienced veterinary practice consulting attorney. With an experienced veterinary practice consulting attorney on your team, you can rest assured that you and your veterinary practice are protected. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.