Introduction

If you’re thinking about becoming a veterinarian, one of the first questions you might ask is: how much do vets actually earn?

After all, choosing this career means years of study, dedication, and a strong passion for animal welfare — and it’s natural to wonder what kind of future you’re working toward. In this article, we break down what new vets typically earn, how salaries grow with experience and specialization, and what veterinary professionals make in different parts of the world. Whether you’re planning your next steps after high school or already preparing for university, understanding the financial side of the veterinary profession can help you make confident, informed decisions. If you’re also curious about the admission process, check out our guide on how to get into vet school, into the Univeristy of Veterinary Medicine.

 

What is the average starting veterinarian salary?

Starting pay varies by country, role, and whether you go straight into full-time practice or take an internship. Here are typical new-grad figures to set your expectations.

• United States: Mean starting compensation for 2024 new grads was ~$130,000 in full-time roles. In 2023 it was $124,295, showing a rising trend.
• United Kingdom: The median basic starting salary for new graduates in 2024 was £34,000.
• Canada: 2024 new grads not in internships reported a mean base salary of CAD $103,409.
• Australia: Entry-level offers have trended up, with the low-end rising to ~AUD $87,000 by early 2024 (signals improving starting pay).
• Europe (example: Germany): typical starting offers sit around €36,000–€43,200/yr for first-year vets in small-animal practice, with professional bodies publishing entry pay recommendations in a similar band.
• South Korea: New veterinarians generally earn around ₩30–35M/yr (≈ USD $23,000–27,000), with higher salaries in Seoul and corporate practices.
• China (major cities): entry-level pet-clinic roles can start near ¥5,000–6,000/month in cities like Shanghai (figures vary by clinic chain and city tier).
• Japan: clinic starting pay commonly falls around ¥230,000–¥300,000/month (≈ ¥2.8–3.6M/yr). Public-sector animal-health posts list initial monthly pay near ¥221,000–¥224,000.

If you choose internships or residencies, expect lower pay during training; recent reports put resident averages near $42k (US).

How much do vets earn per hour?

When you break veterinary salaries down into an hourly rate, the picture becomes clearer for students weighing up their investment in years of study. For new graduates, the hourly earnings often look modest compared with other health professions, but they grow quickly with experience and specialization.

• United States: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median hourly wage of about $57 for veterinarians overall. Entry-level roles tend to start lower, in the $30–$40 range, while production-based pay or emergency shifts can push earnings above $80/hour.
• United Kingdom: With a median starting salary of £34,000, the equivalent hourly rate is £16–£17 for a standard 40-hour workweek. Additional hours, weekend duty, and out-of-hours care can raise the effective rate.
• Canada: New veterinarians report mean base salaries near CAD $103,000–105,000, which works out to ~CAD $50/hour for full-time schedules.
• Australia: Entry-level vets typically earn AUD $87,000–100,000, translating to AUD $42–48/hour in regular practice. Experienced vets can command $60+/hour, especially in regional clinics facing shortages.
• Germany and wider Europe: Starting salaries around €36,000–43,000 correspond to roughly €17–€21/hour before tax.
• South Korea: Average entry-level rates are around ₩14,000–16,000/hour (≈ USD $11–12).
• Japan: Entry pay of ¥230,000–300,000 per month equates to ¥1,400–1,800/hour on a 40-hour week.
• China (major cities): Salaries of ¥5,000–6,000/month in entry-level small animal clinics yield ~¥30–35/hour.

Across all regions, work setting and hours make a big difference. Emergency vets, locum (freelance) practitioners, and those willing to work unsocial shifts tend to earn significantly more per hour, while interns and residents earn less as they train for specialization.

What factors can affect salary?

Veterinary salaries are far from uniform. Two new graduates might start at very different pay levels depending on where they live, the type of clinic they join, and whether they plan to specialize. Over time, these differences become even more pronounced. Below are the main factors that shape a veterinarian’s earnings.

Professional experience

Just as in most professions, experience is one of the biggest drivers of salary growth. New graduates often begin on modest pay scales, but after three to five years of practice their earnings can rise steadily. Senior vets, practice managers, and mentors are rewarded not only for their medical skills but also for leadership and client relationships. In the U.S., for example, the median pay increases by more than 30% after the first five years in practice.

Specialization

Specialists earn significantly more than general practitioners. After completing a residency and passing rigorous board exams, specialists in areas like cardiology, surgery, oncology, or neurology can command salaries two or three times higher than entry-level roles. The trade-off is additional years of study and lower pay during training, but the long-term financial and professional rewards are substantial.

Employment model

How a veterinarian is employed has a direct impact on their income. Salaried vets in public institutions or academia often enjoy stable but lower pay, with strong benefits packages. Private-practice vets, particularly those on production-based contracts (where income is linked to revenue generated), can earn more but may face income fluctuations. Locum (freelance) vets typically charge a premium per hour, though they sacrifice job security.

Location

Geography matters. Urban practices, where demand is high and cost of living is greater, generally pay more than rural ones. Salaries also vary widely by country — for example, new vets in the U.S. may start above $70,000, while in Eastern Europe starting pay can be less than half that. Regional shortages also affect wages: rural Australia and Canada often offer relocation bonuses or higher hourly rates to attract young professionals.

Sector of employment

Not all veterinarians work in clinics. Some move into pharmaceutical research, public health, regulatory work, or food safety. These sectors often offer more stable hours, higher pay, and opportunities for advancement outside of traditional practice. For example, public health veterinarians in international organizations may earn salaries comparable to senior physicians.

Workload and hours

Income often reflects hours worked. Vets covering emergency shifts, weekends, or overnight duties usually receive overtime or shift premiums. Those willing to work long weeks in high-volume clinics may earn more, but they also risk burnout — a reminder that salary is just one part of overall career satisfaction.

In a nutshell, these factors explain why veterinarian salaries can range so widely, even within the same country. A young graduate entering rural practice will earn something very different from a board-certified surgeon in a major city.

Your earnings will also depend on where you are in your journey — learn the steps to become a veterinarian to see how training and specialization affect future income.

Regional Differences: How Much Do Vets Earn in Different Countries?

Veterinary salaries vary widely around the world. The differences depend not only on the strength of the local economy but also on demand for animal care, cost of living, and whether the country faces a shortage of veterinary professionals. Below are examples of how starting and average salaries compare internationally:

• United States: Entry-level vets typically start at $70,000–$90,000/year, with overall averages above $130,000 in 2024. Salaries in emergency and specialty roles can climb much higher.
• Canada: New graduates report mean base salaries of about CAD $103,000–105,000/year, equivalent to roughly USD $75,000–77,000.
• United Kingdom: Starting salaries are around £30,000–34,000, with experienced vets earning up to £65,000 in practice. Specialists in referral hospitals may earn even more.
• Germany (and much of Western Europe): Recommended starting pay for new grads is €36,000–43,000, rising steadily with experience.
• Hungary and Eastern Europe: Typical starting salaries may be much lower, around €10,000–25,000/year, reflecting differences in cost of living and healthcare systems.
• Australia: Starting salaries are now closer to AUD $87,000–100,000, with strong demand in rural areas pushing hourly rates up.
• South Korea: ₩30–35M/yr (≈ USD $23,000–27,000), with higher pay in Seoul.
• Japan: Entry-level vets earn about ¥2.8–3.6M/year (roughly USD $19,000–25,000). Some public-sector positions list similar ranges for first-year employees.
• China (major cities): Starting pay for small-animal vets may be ¥5,000–6,000/month (≈ USD $8,000–9,000/year), though wages rise quickly in international clinics or corporate chains.

These disparities highlight how important it is to think globally about your veterinary career. A new graduate in Budapest, London, and New York may have studied similar subjects, but the financial rewards are very different.

Many students consider international study programs, such as the EAEVE accredited program of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, partly because qualifications recognized across borders open the door to higher-paying regions.

If you want to know more about how to increase your chances in passing the entrance exam of UVMB, drop us an email, [Click to see email]. Prep Team members are always happy to help you with more information.

 

What Are the Highest-Paid Veterinary Jobs?

While general practice offers stability and variety, the very top salaries in veterinary medicine are typically earned in specialized fields or high-demand roles. These jobs require additional years of training, strong resilience, and a passion for advanced care — but they also open the door to salaries well above the averages discussed earlier. Below are some of the highest-paying veterinary career paths:

Veterinary Cardiologist

Cardiologists diagnose and treat heart conditions in companion animals, livestock, and sometimes exotic species. Because heart disease requires complex diagnostics and advanced procedures, cardiologists are among the most sought-after specialists. Board-certified cardiologists can earn well over $200,000 annually in the U.S. and other high-income countries.

Veterinary Specialist (Board Certified)

This category includes disciplines such as oncology, dermatology, neurology, and internal medicine. Achieving board certification requires a residency (3–4 years) and passing rigorous exams, but the reward is substantial: specialists may earn 50–100% more than general practitioners. Some specialists in referral hospitals command salaries above $250,000.

Veterinary Research Scientist

Research veterinarians contribute to breakthroughs in animal and human health, often working in universities, pharmaceutical companies, or government labs. Their salaries vary, but senior research roles often pay in line with medical researchers — $100,000 to $150,000+, depending on funding and institution.

Zoo Veterinarian

Zoo and wildlife veterinarians work with exotic animals in conservation programs, rehabilitation centers, and zoological parks. While starting pay may be modest, experienced zoo vets with rare expertise can reach six-figure salaries, particularly in larger institutions or international projects.

Public Health Veterinarian

These vets safeguard human health by controlling zoonotic diseases, monitoring food safety, and working in epidemiology. Public health veterinarians employed by government agencies or international organizations often receive stable, well-compensated roles with salaries that rival or exceed those in clinical practice, alongside excellent benefits.

Emergency and Critical Care (ER) Vet

ER vets handle high-pressure cases outside normal hours — trauma, poisoning, or urgent surgery. While the job is demanding, it also offers premium pay rates. In many regions, ER vets earn 20–40% more per hour than daytime clinicians, with total annual salaries easily surpassing $150,000 once established.

Veterinary Surgeon

Surgeons perform complex orthopedic and soft tissue operations. Because surgical expertise is highly valued, board-certified veterinary surgeons are among the very top earners, with many reporting salaries in the $200,000–$300,000+ range in advanced referral centers.

These roles require more training and resilience, but they also provide some of the most rewarding challenging — both financially and professionally — in the veterinary field.

 

Does Veterinary Medicine Grow as an Industry?

The short answer is yes — veterinary medicine is expanding globally, and this growth directly impacts both job opportunities and salary potential. Several powerful trends are fueling the industry’s steady rise:

• Rising pet ownership worldwide: In many countries, the number of households with companion animals has surged in recent decades. This has increased demand for high-quality veterinary care, from routine checkups to advanced procedures.
• Human–animal bond: Pets are increasingly seen as family members, which means owners are willing to invest more in preventive care, surgery, and specialized treatments.
• Advances in veterinary science: New diagnostic tools, surgical techniques, and pharmaceutical products allow vets to provide more complex care. This raises demand for skilled professionals trained to use these innovations.
• Public health and food safety: Veterinarians play critical roles in controlling zoonotic diseases, ensuring food security, and contributing to research. Governments and international organizations continue to rely on veterinary expertise, creating additional career paths outside traditional practice.
• Shortage of professionals: In countries such as the U.S., Canada, and Australia, there is already a shortage of vets, especially in rural areas. This shortage is expected to continue, which will likely keep salaries competitive and job opportunities plentiful.

For aspiring students, these trends signal a profession that not only offers stability but also meaningful impact. By the time today’s applicants graduate, you will enter an industry that is larger, more diverse, and more important than ever.

 

Key Takeaways

• Starting vet salaries vary widely: from ~USD $8,000 in China to $130,000+ in the U.S.
• Specialization and experience can double or triple income.
• High-paying roles include cardiology, surgery, emergency care, and public health.
• The veterinary field is growing globally, offering increasing opportunities for passionate students.
• While South Korea, Japan, and Eastern Europe offer lower starting pay, North America, the UK, and Australia seem to be lucrative.