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The differences between associate veterinarians and emergency veterinarians 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 an emergency veterinarian. Additionally, an emergency veterinarian has an average salary of $94,518, 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 an emergency veterinarian are PET, patients, and emergency medicine.
| Associate Veterinarian | Emergency Veterinarian | |
| Yearly salary | $78,407 | $94,518 |
| Hourly rate | $37.70 | $45.44 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 13,071 | 34,931 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| 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.
An emergency veterinarian is responsible for providing quality care services for animals at veterinary clinics and hospitals. Emergency veterinarians diagnose the animal's condition and administer treatment plans and medications. They also coordinate with other veterinarians to claim the animal's initial medical records and history. An emergency veterinarian performs immediate surgery as needed and ensure the stability of the animals' vital signs, requiring them to have extensive knowledge of animal care of various species or area of interest.
Associate veterinarians and emergency veterinarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Veterinarian | Emergency Veterinarian | |
| Average salary | $78,407 | $94,518 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $149,000 | Between $47,000 And $188,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Albany, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | New York |
| Best paying company | Providence Hospital | National Veterinary Associates |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between an associate veterinarian and an emergency veterinarian in terms of educational background:
| Associate Veterinarian | Emergency Veterinarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Veterinary Medicine | Veterinary Medicine |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between associate veterinarians' and emergency veterinarians' demographics:
| Associate Veterinarian | Emergency Veterinarian | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% | Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6% |
| 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, 5.9% Asian, 4.7% White, 83.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |