Salary for a Vet with DVM

Veterinarians are doctors of medicine, which implies that they are well paid.  Although veterinarians are not well compensated compared to other doctors, they get to work with animals.  For those people who love being around animals, this might be worth the tradeoff in salary.

The median salary for a veterinarian with a doctorate in veterinary medicine is $67,000. The amount a veterinarian makes depends on many factors.  Those choosing to work in government or academic settings usually earn less than those working in the private sector.  Employment opportunities for veterinarians will pay at a different scale when comparing the federal government to state and local governments.  In addition to colleges and universities, veterinarians can also work in not-for-profit settings.  Those veterinarians who open their own clinics stand to make the most money.

Veterinarians do not have to pay as much for malpractice insurance compared to traditional doctors.  This means that they have less insurance costs, which is less of an expense that gets deducted from a vet's income.

Veterinarians who open a private practice have the added hassle of dealing with customers.  Nonpaying clients, as well as clients who argue about bills, will sometimes have to be written off as non-collectible accounts, another expense which must be deducted from a vet's income.  For veterinarians who do not want to have any contact with patients, being a veterinary radiologist or pathologist may be a better career option.  Rural veterinarians make less than urban veterinarians, but they have fewer customers and less stress to deal with.