Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for emergency veterinarians in the United States
Emergency veterinarian job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected emergency veterinarian job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 16,800 new jobs for emergency veterinarians are projected over the next decade.
Emergency veterinarian salaries have increased 12% for emergency veterinarians in the last 5 years.
There are over 46,631 emergency veterinarians currently employed in the United States.
There are 34,931 active emergency veterinarian job openings in the US.
The average emergency veterinarian salary is $94,518.
Are emergency veterinarian jobs in demand?
Emergency veterinarian job and salary trends over time
Emergency veterinarian jobs over time
Emergency veterinarian job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46,631 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 44,489 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 44,990 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 42,889 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 41,869 | 0.01% |
Average emergency veterinarian salary over time
Emergency veterinarian salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $94,518 | $45.44 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | $90,909 | $43.71 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $89,356 | $42.96 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | $86,109 | $41.40 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $84,538 | $40.64 | +0.3% |
Emergency veterinarian jobs by state
Most common states for emergency veterinarians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 133 | 10% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 554 | 8% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 75 | 8% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 60 | 8% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 524 | 7% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 284 | 7% |
| 7 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 98 | 7% |
| 8 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 47 | 7% |
| 9 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,189 | 6% |
| 10 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 672 | 6% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 508 | 6% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 503 | 6% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 421 | 6% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 359 | 6% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 341 | 6% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 200 | 6% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 39 | 6% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 35 | 6% |
| 19 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 1,527 | 5% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 668 | 5% |
Most common cities for emergency veterinarians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southfield | 8 | 11% | $100,532 |
| 2 | Lafayette | 3 | 11% | $85,687 |
| 3 | Rockville | 6 | 9% | $114,474 |
| 4 | Natick | 3 | 9% | $100,637 |
| 5 | Woburn | 3 | 8% | $100,625 |
| 6 | Crystal Lake | 2 | 5% | $105,094 |
| 7 | Ann Arbor | 5 | 4% | $100,038 |
| 8 | Clearwater | 3 | 3% | $89,836 |
| 9 | Daly City | 3 | 3% | $112,341 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | 3 | 2% | $90,574 |
| 11 | Avondale | 2 | 2% | $88,870 |
| 12 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $86,558 |
| 13 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $88,992 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $81,658 |
| 15 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $100,619 |
Emergency Veterinarian job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of emergency veterinarian experts
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Stanford University
North Carolina State University
Andrews University
Ohio State University
Murray State University
Washington State University
University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
ZAA - Zoological Association of America
What general advice would you give to an Emergency Veterinarian?
Erin Burton DVM, MS, DACVP (Clinical Pathology): I anticipate as telehealth and artificial intelligence become more common in the human health care sectors that these types of technologies will begin to be utilized in veterinary medicine and research. While critical thinking and adaptability have been core competencies that are built into the foundation of all veterinary medicine curricula, our graduates will be positioned well to take on these exciting developments and need to lean into the foundational skills learned for their formal education. As the population in the United States continues to become more diverse (economically, culturally, and geographically distributed) and the effects of climate change become more influential on our communities, it will be critical for veterinarians to maintain cultural competence and sensitivity to different cultural beliefs and practices related to animal care to ensure that we are providing inclusive and effective veterinary services to all seeking care.
What Emergency Veterinarian skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erin Burton DVM, MS, DACVP (Clinical Pathology): I am not sure I am positioned to answer this question. This would be better answered by an employer and is very sector dependent.
What will help Emergency Veterinarians increase their earning potential?
Erin Burton DVM, MS, DACVP (Clinical Pathology): Today the work of the veterinary profession has never been more critical. The DVM degree has always been one of the most versatile and trusted medical degrees one can gain. No matter the community that you decide to serve, you will be well equipped to face the opportunities and challenges that await. Whether you are in an urban, suburban, rural or remote part of the world, some will support their community as the other family doctor," caring for companion animals, both large and small, that help support a family's physical and psychological well-being. Others may choose a path that addresses critical issues affecting our world today such as a safe and healthy food supply along with the conservation of our environment and natural resources. While others will go on to engage in biomedical research, seeking to answer critical questions that address the health of animals, people, and the world we share, including emerging diseases undiscovered. Regardless of the path, veterinarians influence the day-to-day quality of all lives, human or animal, in immeasurable ways.
Donna Bouley DVM, PhD
PROFESSOR OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINEStanford University
Veterinary Biomedical And Clinical Sciences
What general advice would you give to an Emergency Veterinarian?
Donna Bouley DVM, PhD: In addition to everything scientific and technical that they learn in vet school, they will need to have good people skills, patience and understanding (pet owners may not be able to afford to treat their animals and this can be stressful for vets), therefore a creative mind - especially if there are alternative ways to treat an animal if the proposed treatment is beyond the owner's reach. A vet must have a strong work ethic, be willing to work in a team, should be willing to give back (ie - volunteer to work with the homeless community's pets), be a lifelong learner (vets must attend continuing education to maintain their licenses). And the passion to still want to work as a veterinarian, despite the fact that they most likely have tremendous debt due to the outrageous tuition costs of veterinary school, and this debt will impact their lives for decades after graduation. Since veterinarians in general will never make the salary that MDs do, this potential financial burden can lead many young people to decide against going to vet school in the 1st place.
Kimberly Ange-van Heugten Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Teaching, Animal Science, Faculty Senate RepresentativeNorth Carolina State University
Animal Science Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Emergency Veterinarians?
Kimberly Ange-van Heugten Ph.D.: My top 5 hard skills would be: Degree earned - for future vets, the DVM is obvious, but MS degrees in subject matter such as nutrition can be very important as well, computer skills, technology skills (specific to the veterinary field), management and writing skills.
Jay Brand Ph.D.
Professor of Leadership, Higher Education & Organizational StudiesAndrews University
Department of Leadership
What skills will help Emergency Veterinarians earn the most?
Jay Brand Ph.D.: Earnings potential probably relates more to practice location (e.g., upscale retirement and/or urban locales) and practice specialties (e.g., thorough bred horse racing) than to entries on one's resume; however, again, a broad knowledge across many domesticated species and a knowledge of healthy thriving in addition to treatment for illness would open more doors than a narrow specialty.
What skills stand out on Emergency Veterinarian resumes?
Jay Brand Ph.D.: I can tell you from personal contact that those who truly empathize with their patients and the human 'owners' impress me the most and retain my loyalty.
Customer service and people engagement skills - in addition to technical veterinary medicine skills - can be differentiating.
Broad knowledge of general health and flourishing (e.g., optimal nutrition) in addition to diagnosing and treating disease conditions can also highlight one's resume.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Emergency Veterinarians?
Marília Chiavegato Ph.D.: I do not think there will be an enduring impact. I believe the impacts were short-term and mainly related to delays on new job start and fewer opportunities due to company's hiring pauses and economic uncertainty.
Long-term impacts will likely be related to skills needed to face the constantly changing environment we are live on nowadays.
Shea Porr Ph.D.
Department Head, Animal/Equine Science, Associate Professor, Equine ScienceMurray State University
Animal and Equine Science
What general advice would you give to an Emergency Veterinarian?
Shea Porr Ph.D.: Watch and listen. There are a lot of things that are taught in the classroom that aren't necessarily the only way to do things. Different employers will have different experiences or situations, and though the concept may be the same, the delivery may not. Don't assume that just because you have a degree, you already know how to do it "right." Doing something a different way doesn't make it wrong, and you may learn another way to do the same thing.
Be willing to move. You may want to end up working a job back in your hometown, but that's not always going to happen right after graduation. You may need to move to another city, state, or even country, and earn some experience before moving back home. There's a lot to be said for what you can learn and bring back with you. And who knows-you may fall in love with a completely different part of the country!
Take a chance. Step outside your comfort zone. There are a lot of exciting opportunities out there, and you don't want to let one slip by because you were afraid of a little challenge. Or even a big one!
What skills stand out on Emergency Veterinarian resumes?
Dr. Rick DeBowes: Things that pop on a resume would start with the candidate sharing their core value statement (who they are and what they stand for), providing evidence that they made a significant difference in previous positions (helped to develop and lead a change in protocol, solved problems, developed innovations or new approaches to the work), and listing documented evidence of education in clinical communication (primarily hands-on with simulated clients), business/practice management education and working fluency in a second language (Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese depending on area demographic needs). Having a letter of support from a colleague, teacher, or former employer that speaks directly to a candidate's character and work ethic is always a great addition to one's application!
What skills stand out on Emergency Veterinarian resumes?
Peggy Root Kustritz DVM, PhD, MMedEd: Communications! This is always the skill set that alumni report was of greatest value to them as a new veterinarian, and the need for clear communication is heightened by the provision of service through indirect forms of communication, such as talking to clients on the phone or via text or email, instead of face-to-face and providing telemedicine. Other skills that everyone badly needs right now are teamwork (especially the ability to communicate clearly within teams) and adaptability. I know that veterinary graduates like to stress the coursework they've done, but every graduate of an AVMA-COE accredited school is a great student and has to have demonstrated knowledge and specific clinical competencies to finish their training. It is the 'softer' skills that set candidates apart.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Emergency Veterinarian job market given the pandemic?
John Seyjagat: The pandemic has a devastating impact on zoological facilities and is subjecting these institutions to a change in operations. Additionally, public pressure due to public perception and harmful legislation will also have an impact on facilities. Facilities have had to maintain social distancing. To do so, facilities have reduced visitation to less than 50% capacity, closed all exhibit buildings, and discontinued public gatherings and education and conservation talks. Animal Outreach Programs have also been suspended.
As a result of the pandemic, we can see some facilities reducing operating costs, and cutting back on programs, reducing their workforce and education staff. Local, state, and federal legislators are all jockeying to pass bans on wet markets, wildlife trade, and movement to prevent zoonotic disease transmission and a second pandemic. Should such bans become effective, there would be a further reduction in zoos and aquarium deliverables to their guests. Such a trend would adversely affect zoo and wildlife careers and the zoological job market.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Emergency Veterinarians in the next 3-5 years?
John Seyjagat: Digitalization! Most of the education deliverables would be virtual. We would see an increase in webinars, recorded subject matter, and virtual tours. He who can take digitalization and bring it to life with content, uniqueness, action, drama, and storytelling would succeed.