Imagine
Veterinarian
Imaginative careers illustration
DiscoverExploreExperience

Did You Know?

A veterinarian's patients can't say where it hurts, so vets rely on observation, body language, lab tests, X-rays, and sometimes intuition to figure out what's wrong.

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.

$125,510

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

3,000

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

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
career image

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

Learn More
Dr. Temple Grandin

Dr. Temple Grandin

Learn More
Louis Pasteur

Louis Pasteur

Learn More
CURATED LEARNING RESOURCES

Explore more resources for a future Veterinarian

Book
The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed

The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed

Temple Grandin

Why We Picked It

This groundbreaking book blends neuroscience with personal experience to help readers understand how different kinds of minds process the world — and why that diversity makes us stronger.

Career Connection

Veterinary researchers study animal cognition and sensory processing to improve animal care, and Grandin's work shows teens how understanding how animals think and feel is central to veterinary science.

Book
Louis Pasteur (Little People, BIG DREAMS, 96)

Louis Pasteur (Little People, BIG DREAMS, 96)

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Why We Picked It

This beautifully illustrated story shows how young Louis Pasteur's fascination with germs and microscopes grew into discoveries that revolutionized medicine and saved countless lives.

Career Connection

Pasteur's germ theory and vaccine research form the scientific foundation of veterinary medicine, and every vet who vaccinates animals or sterilizes equipment uses principles he established.

Toy / Game / Kit
Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set, 24-Piece Animal Doctor Playset with Dog & Cat Plushies, Pet Doctor Kit & Accessories, Preschool Toys for Girls & Boys Ages 3+

Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set, 24-Piece Animal Doctor Playset with Dog & Cat Plushies, Pet Doctor Kit & Accessories, Preschool Toys for Girls & Boys Ages 3+

Why We Picked It

This complete vet play set with plush dog and cat patients, a reusable checklist, and realistic medical tools lets kids perform full checkups and treatments in a portable tote.

Career Connection

Veterinarians follow standardized exam protocols — checking eyes, ears, teeth, heart, and coat condition — for every patient, and this set walks kids through that same systematic physical assessment process.

Continue Your Journey

Keep exploring everything this career has to offer.