Q&A for How to Become a Veterinarian

Yes, if you value helping animals over a high-paying job. Unfortunately, becoming a veterinarian isn't a path to becoming very rich. Students often graduate with student loan debt and you won't start out making the same as your colleagues in the dental or human medical professions. If you have an intrinsic motivation to assist animals, it will be easier to disregard your pay and have a rewarding career.

The average salary for a vet is around $87,000, with the lowest paid earning around $52,000 and the highest paid earning around $157,000.

Becoming a vet is a long path that involves 8 years of study to degree level. Aside from academic achievement you also need experience working with animals in order to be offered a place at vet school. Each university has their preferred requirements in terms of practical skills, such as working on a dairy farm or in a stables, seeing small animal practice, or working in laboratory, so check with each educational institution before applying.

The average salary for a US veterinarian is $85,000. This ranges from a newly qualified vet who earns around $52,000, to a senior vet involved in scientific research, who earns $157,000.

Each vet school has their own entry requirements, which amount to around 400 hours of practical experience prior to application. This is made up of a mixture of working with animals and seeing practice at a vet clinic. Some schools stipulate large animal experience, whilst others are not as rigid. Lack of large animal practical experience could possibly disadvantage you when applying for a place, but once on the course, the training will make up for this.