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The differences between associate veterinarians and doctors of veterinary medicine can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an associate veterinarian and a doctor of veterinary medicine. Additionally, a doctor of veterinary medicine has an average salary of $136,242, which is higher than the $78,407 average annual salary of an associate veterinarian.
The top three skills for an associate veterinarian include PET, patients and private practice. The most important skills for a doctor of veterinary medicine are patient care, veterinary medicine, and patients.
| Associate Veterinarian | Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine | |
| Yearly salary | $78,407 | $136,242 |
| Hourly rate | $37.70 | $65.50 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 13,071 | 27,902 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Doctoral Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An associate veterinarian specializes in providing medical care and treatment to animals. One may work part-time or full-time at a veterinary clinic, together with practice owners, assistants, and veterinary technicians. An associate veterinarian's responsibilities primarily revolve around examining animals to diagnose any injuries or diseases, performing surgeries, and administering or prescribing medication. Other responsibilities include discussing the pets' condition to owners, ensuring to relay the necessary care and welfare advice needed during treatment, or after surgery. Moreover, an associate veterinarian may also euthanize, spay, neuter, and even perform dental procedures to animals.
A Veterinary Medicine Doctor is responsible for studying animal nature, diagnosing animal illnesses, and developing treatment plans and medications. They analyze an extensive scope of animal conditions to identify care programs that would keep them healthy. They also supervise laboratory procedures and conduct tests by acquiring specimens for investigation. A veterinary medicine doctor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in coordinating with animal owners, responding to their inquiries and concerns, and resolving their issues.
Associate veterinarians and doctors of veterinary medicine have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Veterinarian | Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine | |
| Average salary | $78,407 | $136,242 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $149,000 | Between $66,000 And $277,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Burlington, VT |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | Maine |
| Best paying company | Providence Hospital | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an associate veterinarian and a doctor of veterinary medicine in terms of educational background:
| Associate Veterinarian | Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Doctoral Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between associate veterinarians' and doctors of veterinary medicine' demographics:
| Associate Veterinarian | Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% | Male, 50.7% Female, 49.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 4.9% White, 83.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 4.9% White, 82.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |