Meat department associate vs associate veterinarian

The differences between meat department associates and associate veterinarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a meat department associate, becoming an associate veterinarian takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an associate veterinarian has an average salary of $78,407, which is higher than the $26,955 average annual salary of a meat department associate.

The top three skills for a meat department associate include food handling, customer service and grinders. The most important skills for an associate veterinarian are PET, patients, and private practice.

Meat department associate vs associate veterinarian overview

	Meat Department Associate	Associate Veterinarian
Yearly salary	$26,955	$78,407
Hourly rate	$12.96	$37.70
Growth rate	-3%	19%
Number of jobs	52,410	13,071
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	42	44
Years of experience	4	2

What does a meat department associate do?

A meat department associate is responsible for addressing customer needs and offering product suggestions based on the customer's preference. Meat department associates ensure the safe storage of the products, carefully loading and unloading the items from the distribution trucks to the appropriate area. They also assist with product packaging, price labeling, inspecting quality, and eliminating products that do not pass quality standards. A meat department associate may also perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, such as taking orders, processing payments, and updating sales reports.

What does an associate veterinarian do?

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.

Meat department associate vs associate veterinarian salary

Meat department associates and associate veterinarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Meat Department Associate	Associate Veterinarian
Average salary	$26,955	$78,407
Salary range	Between $13,000 And $55,000	Between $41,000 And $149,000
Highest paying City	Leesburg, VA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New Mexico
Best paying company	Linklaters	Providence Hospital
Best paying industry	Retail	Professional

Differences between meat department associate and associate veterinarian education

There are a few differences between a meat department associate and an associate veterinarian in terms of educational background:

	Meat Department Associate	Associate Veterinarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Veterinary Medicine
Most common college	-	University of Georgia

Meat department associate vs associate veterinarian demographics

Here are the differences between meat department associates' and associate veterinarians' demographics:

	Meat Department Associate	Associate Veterinarian
Average age	42	44
Gender ratio	Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7%	Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 7.7% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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%
LGBT Percentage	3%	15%

Differences between meat department associate and associate veterinarian duties and responsibilities

Meat department associate example responsibilities.

Placed/Fil orders, maintain inventory, and manage department cleanliness.
Stock meat counter, dairy and frozen foods as well as general groceries.
Maintain, clean and sterilize, tables, deli slicers, and cutting equipment daily.
Clear shopping carts from lot, bag groceries for customers and help customers load groceries into vehicle.
Maintain and clean the meat dept, including saws, grinders, refrigerator, freezer and various other tools and equipment.
Used all equipment in meat department such as the refrigerators, freezers, slicers, and ovens according to company guidelines.

Associate veterinarian example responsibilities.

Educate clients on their pet's medical conditions and enable owners to manage their pet's diseases with appropriate home care.
Manage client concerns and communicate important details about quality pet care.
Manage wildlife rehabilitation program for native species, including state and federal rehabilitation licenses for the practice.
Discuss plans for bringing in acupuncture and rehabilitation practice.
Expand HomeVet services from house calls to relief veterinary medical services in Sarasota andManatee counties.
Attend equine patients, mentore high school students, veterinary assistant students, and veterinary technology students

Meat department associate vs associate veterinarian skills

Common meat department associate skills

Food Handling, 20%
Customer Service, 11%
Grinders, 10%
Fresh Product, 8%
Food Safety, 7%
Fresh Meat, 6%

Common associate veterinarian skills

PET, 40%
Patients, 16%
Private Practice, 14%
DVM, 5%
Medical Care, 2%
Exceptional Client, 2%

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Meat Department Associate vs Associate Veterinarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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