Veterinarians
Did You Know:
- Veterinarians should love animals and be able to get along with their owners.
- Graduation from an accredited college of veterinary medicine and a state license are required; admission to veterinary school is competitive.
- Job opportunities should be excellent.
- About 80 percent of veterinarians work in private practice.
Industry Areas
- Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation)
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Day-to-Day 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.
Overall Kind of Work
Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and dysfunctions of animals. Specifically, they care for the health of pets, livestock and animals in zoos, racetracks and laboratories. Some veterinarian...
Work Environment
Civilian
Veterinarians in private or clinical practice often work long hours in a noisy indoor environment. Sometimes they have to deal with emotional or demanding pet owners. When working with animals tha...
Military
Life scientists work in medical, clinical, and research laboratories and, at times, in food processing or storage plants. They may work outdoors while conducting field work on land or aboard ships.
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 8.70% (0-20 Hours)
- 8.86% (21-34 Hours)
- 4.91% (35-39 Hours)
- 29.80% (40 Hours)
- 9.53% (41-49 Hours)
- 38.21% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Veterinarians (29-1131)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
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Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
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Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
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Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 49.91% (Private For-Profit)
- 3.51% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 3.41% (State and Local Govt)
- 2.54% (Federal Government)
- 40.63% (Self-Employed)
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
408 Veterinarians in the military