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Veterinarians

Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal injuries, diseases and disorders, and advise on preventative action. They may work in practices, specialising according to their location in either a rural or urban area, or in the public sector or associated industries such as pharmaceuticals, food production or drug regulation.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£17,323
£46,144
£75,471

New workers start around £17,323. Normal pay is £46,144 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £75,471.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 18,749 vacancies for this type of job

7.98%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation.

  • Carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students.

  • Performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations.

  • Performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products.

  • Euthanises old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals.

  • Investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care.

  • Administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery.

  • Inoculates animals against communicable diseases.

  • Examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Small Animal Care

  • Surgery

  • Medical Ultrasonography

  • Endoscopy

  • Dental Radiography

  • Orthopedics

  • Quality Improvement

  • Surgical Procedures

  • Dentistry

  • Laparoscopy

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communication

  • Mentorship

  • Consulting

  • Leadership

  • Enthusiasm

  • Customer Service

  • Management

  • Interpersonal Communications

  • Writing

  • Coaching

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all

Bioveterinary Science

University of Chester

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Chester · 06/10/2025

Tariff points: 112/112

Veterinary Science

University of Bristol

BVSc · 5 Years · Full-time · Bristol · 09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Veterinary Medicine

The University of Edinburgh

BVMS · 5 Years · Full-time · Edinburgh · 08/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Veterinary Physiotherapy

Anglia Ruskin University

MVetPhys · 4 Years · Full-time · Writtle · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: 128/128

Bioveterinary Science

University of Lincoln

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Lincoln · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: 104/104

Veterinary Science

University of Liverpool

BVSc · 5 Years · Full-time · Liverpool · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Bioveterinary Science

Keele University

BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Sandwich with time abroad · Keele · 09/2025

Tariff points: 120/120

Bioveterinary Science

University Centre Bishop Burton

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Beverley · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: 96/96

Veterinary Science

SRUC Scotland's Rural College

BVSci · 5 Years · Full-time · Aberdeen · 09/2025

Tariff points: 96/147

Veterinary Medicine

University of Cambridge

MB · 6 Years · Full-time · Cambridge · 10/2025

Tariff points: N/A

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