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Veterinarian

Did You Know?

Unlike human doctors, who specialize in one species, veterinarians are trained to treat dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, birds, reptiles, and even exotic animals.

INDUSTRY FACTS

The Numbers Behind the Career

86,400

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 86,400 veterinarians in the U.S. in 2024.

3,000

About 3,000 openings for veterinarians are projected annually over the next decade.

$125,510

The median salary for veterinarians was $125,510 in 2024.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
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Education & Certification

To become a veterinarian, you must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. A veterinary medicine program generally takes 4 years to complete and includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical components. Veterinarians must be licensed in order to practice in the United States. Licensing requirements vary by state, but prospective veterinarians in all states must complete an accredited veterinary program and pass a qualifying exam.

To prepare...

Take strong high school courses in math, anatomy/physiology, and biology to prepare.

Participate in school labs and projects that involve research, data collection, or problem-solving, just like veterinarians do.

Earn a bachelor’s degree in biology or agriculture if you are interested in working with larger animals.

CAREER SPOTLIGHTS

Spotlight: Explore the Life of a Veterinarian

James Herriot

James Herriot

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Dr. Temple Grandin

Dr. Temple Grandin

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Louis Pasteur

Louis Pasteur

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CURATED LEARNING RESOURCES

Explore more resources for a future Veterinarian

Book
James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small

James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small

James Herriot

Why We Picked It

This charming collection of animal stories introduces young readers to the gentle, humorous world of a beloved Yorkshire veterinarian through tales of kindness, care, and countryside life.

Career Connection

Rural veterinarians treat a wide variety of animals in homes and farms, building deep community relationships, and Herriot's stories capture the same warmth, variety, and personal connection that define country vet practice.

Toy / Game / Kit
Veterinary Anatomy Pocket Charts – Dog & Cat Set + PAWPAL Keychain Gift | Canine & Felinee | 66 Illustrated Pages | 5"x3" Foldable Reference Guide for Vet Nurses, Techs & Students

Veterinary Anatomy Pocket Charts – Dog & Cat Set + PAWPAL Keychain Gift | Canine & Felinee | 66 Illustrated Pages | 5"x3" Foldable Reference Guide for Vet Nurses, Techs & Students

Why We Picked It

This mini anatomy workbook with canine and feline muscle groups, skeletal systems, and organ placement helps students visualize how a dog or cat's body works from the inside out.

Career Connection

Veterinary students spend their first two years studying animal anatomy and physiology in detail, and this workbook introduces the same organ systems and anatomical vocabulary those courses cover.

Book
Germ Hunter: A Story about Louis Pasteur (Creative Minds Biographies)

Germ Hunter: A Story about Louis Pasteur (Creative Minds Biographies)

Elaine Marie Alphin

Why We Picked It

This engaging biography brings Pasteur's curiosity and courage to life, following his determined quest to understand invisible germs and develop vaccines that changed history.

Career Connection

Veterinarians use Pasteur's discoveries daily — from rabies vaccination to pasteurization of milk — and his story shows kids how laboratory research directly protects the health of animals and people.

Continue Your Journey

Keep exploring everything this career has to offer.