Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between pet care associates and associate veterinarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-3 months to become a pet care 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 $35,635 average annual salary of a pet care associate.
The top three skills for a pet care associate include PET, customer service and sales floor. The most important skills for an associate veterinarian are PET, patients, and private practice.
| Pet Care Associate | Associate Veterinarian | |
| Yearly salary | $35,635 | $78,407 |
| Hourly rate | $17.13 | $37.70 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 84,256 | 13,071 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 32 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 3 | 2 |
Pet care associates, though holding a small position, will find its scope much larger than one would initially expect. This position requires an individual with gentleness, patience, confidence, carefulness, diligence, and a hard-working attitude. Paying out at around $33K per year, those who choose this career will be required to help customers with questions and issues related to small mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds.
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.
Pet care associates and associate veterinarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pet Care Associate | Associate Veterinarian | |
| Average salary | $35,635 | $78,407 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $48,000 | Between $41,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Purr'n Pooch | Providence Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Professional |
There are a few differences between a pet care associate and an associate veterinarian in terms of educational background:
| Pet Care Associate | Associate Veterinarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Veterinary Medicine |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between pet care associates' and associate veterinarians' demographics:
| Pet Care Associate | Associate Veterinarian | |
| Average age | 32 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2% | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.6% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 11% | 15% |