How much do you make as a veterinarian?

Question

I tried to look up average salaries online...but they are all really varied. For example some places say that vet-techs make 30-40,000 a year and a head vet makes 40-50,000 a year. That's not really that much different.... If that's the case I might as well do what I planned to do from the beginning and that was to be a vet tech.....I don't think I would be able to pay off loans if I decide to be a veterinarian.....

Answer 1

Just on a side note, heres something else for you to consider. The amount of call outs a vet gets in the middle of the night. I am on call with my job (ultrasound tech), I make more than a vet does with what you all are listing. I am on call and call does take its toll. I get to rotate with 3 other techs, so the burden is lifted there. But sometimes, there is only 1-2 vets in a practice. Just keep that in mind. If your going on a money aspect, check into ultrasound, its an awesome profession with good work environment and flexible scheduling.

Answer 2

It all depends on what you are doing and where you are living. In my area (Wisconsin) vet techs generally make about 24k a year and fresh out-of-school vets make 30-35k a year. Once you are experienced, the median is about 65k a year.

I am applying to vet school this fall and I am going to be over $100,000 in debt by the time I finish (including my 5 yrs of undergrad for double major, double minor).
Don't let money make your decision. See if you can jobshadow a vet and a vet tech and see which one you like better. This is what I have found: A vet tech gets to work with the animals more (in a companion animal field) while a vet just does the surgeries/checkups. I am going into wildlife veterinary, and there the vet has a lot more hands on animal experience. Horses and livestock: the vet does more animal handling than the vet tech.

good luck on whatever you decide!

Answer 3

I looked up the salary for a veterinarian a few months ago and they average $28-$30 an hour. My sister in law is a vet tech and she makes $12

Answer 4

Your wages would vary a lot depending on where you would be working. For example, concider if you lived in a medium sized town, and you were the only vet in town. In that case you would be the go-to vet in that area. This would generate more business over competing with other vets in a big city.

As far as paying your loans goes, concider taking up a job with an established clinic, as some vets are willing to help with paying off your debt.

When it comes down to it, you just have to do it for yourself, and not so much for your wallet. Most vets are in the job because they love animals, not because of the big fat check.

Answer 5

It incredibly relies upon on the vet, the journey and the prepare. i comprehend my vet makes extraordinarily solid funds yet it took him awhile to get there. He pronounced the 1st 10-15 years have been extraordinarily difficult b/c he cared so deeply relating to the animals a million/2 the time if the owner could no longer have sufficient funds the maintenance or the bill he's take the animal off of the vendors hand quite in the event that they wanted him to. i think of he pronounced whilst he first began on his very own he wound up with 12 horse 4 cows some goats and approximately 6 canines...... all b/c the orginal vendors would have quite surrendered them than pay the fees. i comprehend one vet that still makes solid funds, yet he nevertheless takes in animals whilst people camn't affor dhis costs. that's solid which you incredibly want to do ti for the affection of the animals and not the money. merely be arranged to no longer make a good purchase the 1st few years simply by paying pupil loans and the full new vet element that seems to impression virtually all vets .... the animal for the bill lol

Answer 6

It depends on where you are a vet.

I used to do payroll for a non-profit vet hospital and the vets there made about 70K a year. (Located in a big city)

If you want to make money, then you would need to do it in a private practice and not a SPCA type thing. Surgeons make the best money when it comes to vet med.

Answer 7

Well, of COURSE you'd be able to pay off your loans. They don't want them all back immediately, you can take years if you need to.

The world NEEDS more good vets. Don't let money worries keep you from pursuing your dreams. Vets make good money, they are NOT poor. I'm not saying it will be easy...you just have to decide if it's worth it.

Good luck and I hope you will GO FOR IT!