Thinking About a New Veterinary Job? Here’s What the Market Looks Like

You don’t need to be dissatisfied with your current job to wonder if there’s something better out there.

You might be perfectly happy where you are right now, but that doesn’t mean another role couldn’t offer a better salary, schedule, or culture. Or perhaps you feel it’s time for a change even when everything’s going well simply because you’ve outgrown the practice you’re in.

The veterinary job market has changed from the conditions we saw a few years ago, so if you haven’t looked at what’s out there recently, now could be a good time to see what the market looks like.

So, what does the market actually look like right now? Let’s take a look at the current demand and what veterinarians should consider before making any big decisions.

What Does the Veterinary Job Market Look Like in 2026?

If you’re thinking about changing jobs, the good news is that there’s still healthy demand for veterinarians across the US.

The AVMA’s 2026 Economic State of the Veterinary Profession draws on three major surveys conducted in 2025, looking at everything from veterinary employment and compensation to well-being, and its latest assessment points to continued demand for veterinarians across the US, with veterinary practices continuing to grow in both number and size.

And the longer-term outlook is looking positive, too, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting that veterinarian employment will grow by 9% between 2025 and 2035, which is much faster than the 3% average across all occupations

That number is based on live openings, but we’ve worked with hundreds of hospitals who don’t proactively advertise, so the actual number may be even higher than projected.

It’s worth noting, however, that demand isn’t evenly spread across the country or across every area of veterinary medicine.

New USDA research published in September 2026 found that shortages of food-animal and mixed-animal veterinarians have persisted across many rural areas for more than a decade, despite ongoing efforts to address them. So, while the veterinary job market might be growing overall, where you work and the type of veterinary work you do can make a difference to the opportunities available.

If you’re considering a move, then, whether there are opportunities out there isn’t necessarily the most pressing question. It may be more pertinent to consider whether another role can actually offer you something your current one can’t.

Start With Why You Want to Move

Before you start scrolling through veterinarian jobs, it’s worth zeroing in on what’s actually made you consider leaving in the first place.

That might mean wanting more opportunities to develop clinically, needing a better schedule, a different caseload or a clearer route to career growth, which could eventually lead to going into a partnership or even owning your own clinic. Or perhaps you feel your compensation no longer reflects your experience.

Whatever the reason, the more specific you get with it, the better.

Changing veterinary jobs makes the most sense when you know what you want the move to change. Otherwise, it’s easy to find yourself at a different practice, with maybe a different job title, but with exactly the same frustrations.

If you do decide it’s time for something new, we’ve also looked at how to find the best veterinary practice for your career.

Don’t Assume Moving Automatically Means a Huge Pay Raise

Salary is naturally going to be a big part of the conversation when you’re considering a new role.

For context, BLS data puts the median annual veterinarian salary at $130,100 as of May 2025. But that’s a national figure, and what you could earn will depend on factors like your location, experience, role, and the practice itself.

It’s also worth looking beyond the headline salary at factors such as production and bonus structures, health insurance, PTO, CE allowances, and other benefits, all of which affect what an offer is really worth.

Then there’s the workweek itself. A higher salary might seem attractive at first glance, but less so when you find out it comes with more weekends, more appointments, longer hours, or an on-call schedule that you don’t want.

So, when you’re comparing veterinary job opportunities, compare the whole package, not just the number at the top.

Are You Still Developing Where You Are?

You could be considering a veterinary career change not because anything’s wrong, but because you’ve simply outgrown your current role and don’t have as much room to develop as you once did.

And if you feel this way, know that you’re not alone. A 2026 JAVMA study found that a lack of workplace support and stagnant opportunities for career growth could hasten veterinarians’ decisions to leave, while opportunities for career and professional development could help with retention.

If a lack of development is the reason you’re thinking about leaving, it’s vital to have a clear idea of where you want your career to go next.

Consider whether:

• You’re still getting exposure to the cases you want
• There are opportunities to develop new clinical skills or take on more responsibility
• You have enough access to good mentorship and continuing education
• If leadership interests you, there’s a realistic path toward it

If the answer to those is “no,” then you may want to find a role that gives you the experience you need for whatever you eventually want to do.

And if your current practice can still give you that, staying put might make sense. If it can’t, that’s a good reason to see what else is out there.

Know What You’re Looking For Before You Start Looking

Once you know why you want to move, turn those reasons into priorities. Try picking three things you truly want from your next role.

For one veterinarian, that might be a four-day week, better mentorship, and more surgical exposure. For another, better compensation, fewer weekends, and a shorter commute might come first.

You’ll probably have some nice-to-haves as well, but knowing your non-negotiables makes it much easier to compare veterinarian jobs without getting distracted by an impressive-looking offer that doesn’t actually solve the reason you started looking.

You don’t need to find the perfect practice, but you should know what would make your next opportunity better than the one you already have.

And once you know what you’re looking for, you don’t have to find it alone. Tempus Veterinary Recruitment works with hundreds of hospitals across the US, including many that don’t proactively advertise every vacancy, giving you access to opportunities you might not come across in your own search.

Explore our latest veterinarian jobs across the US, or get in touch with our team today to talk about what you want from your next move.