National
| Median wages (2008) |
$38.01 hourly, $79,050 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
62,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
34,000 additional employees |
29-1131.00 - Veterinarians
Diagnose and treat diseases and dysfunctions of animals. May engage in a particular function, such as research and development, consultation, administration, technical writing, sale or production of commercial products, or rendering of technical services to commercial firms or other organizations. Includes veterinarians who inspect livestock.
Sample of reported job titles:
Veterinarian (Vet), Veterinary Medicine Doctor (DVM), Small Animal Veterinarian, Emergency Veterinarian, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Large Animal Veterinarian, Staff Veterinarian, Veterinary Surgeon, Companion Animal Practitioner, Medical Director
Tasks
- Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
- Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
- Provide care to a wide range of animals or specialize in a particular species, such as horses or exotic birds.
- Inoculate animals against various diseases such as rabies and distemper.
- Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, general care, medical conditions, and treatment options.
- Operate diagnostic equipment such as radiographic and ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
- Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
- Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
- Attend lectures, conferences, and continuing education courses.
- Euthanize animals.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Animal husbandry equipment — Cattle chutes; Dehorners; Hoof picks; Hoof testers |
| Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use — Digital x ray equipment; Portable veterinary x ray equipment; Stationary x ray equipment |
| Surgical clamps or clips or forceps or accessories — Dressing forceps; Sponge forceps; Staple removal forceps; Veterinary obstetrical forceps |
| Veterinary injection or suction units or accessories — Aspiration catheters; Ear syringes; Insemination equipment; Veterinary suction machines |
| Veterinary nail trimmers or cutters — Hoof knives; Hoof trimmers; Nail trimmers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX VPM; Microsoft Access |
| Medical software — American Data Systems PAWS Veterinary Practice Management; IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone; Veterinary Software Publishing Advantage software; Vetport |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
