Post job

Small animal veterinarian vs large animal veterinarian

The differences between small animal veterinarians and large animal veterinarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a small animal veterinarian and a large animal veterinarian. Additionally, a small animal veterinarian has an average salary of $65,546, which is higher than the $59,665 average annual salary of a large animal veterinarian.

The top three skills for a small animal veterinarian include PET, excellent interpersonal and patient care. The most important skills for a large animal veterinarian are DVM, veterinary medicine, and emergency cases.

Small animal veterinarian vs large animal veterinarian overview

Small Animal VeterinarianLarge Animal Veterinarian
Yearly salary$65,546$59,665
Hourly rate$31.51$28.69
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs14,8449,991
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Small animal veterinarian vs large animal veterinarian salary

Small animal veterinarians and large animal veterinarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Small Animal VeterinarianLarge Animal Veterinarian
Average salary$65,546$59,665
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $135,000Between $28,000 And $126,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between small animal veterinarian and large animal veterinarian education

There are a few differences between a small animal veterinarian and a large animal veterinarian in terms of educational background:

Small Animal VeterinarianLarge Animal Veterinarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorVeterinary MedicineVeterinary Medicine
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaCornell University

Small animal veterinarian vs large animal veterinarian demographics

Here are the differences between small animal veterinarians' and large animal veterinarians' demographics:

Small Animal VeterinarianLarge Animal Veterinarian
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 31.5% Female, 68.5%Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Asian, 4.7% White, 83.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 1.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 4.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 86.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between small animal veterinarian and large animal veterinarian duties and responsibilities

Small animal veterinarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage wildlife rehabilitation program for native species, including state and federal rehabilitation licenses for the practice.
  • Gain valuable small animal and exotic pet surgical and medical experience.
  • Work at various small animal practices in Indiana after obtaining DVM degree
  • Perform healthy pet exams and administer preventative health care, including spays and neuters.
  • Manage wildlife rehabilitation program for native species, including state and federal rehabilitation licenses for the practice.
  • Supervise laboratory testing, reagent selection and flock management staff for in-house SPF poultry operation.f.

Large animal veterinarian example responsibilities.

  • Lead original research in tumor virus biology and pharmacogenomic correlates of vaccine effectiveness with industry and USDA ARS research experts.c.
  • Lead original research in tumor virus biology and pharmacogenomic correlates of vaccine effectiveness with industry and USDA ARS research experts.c.
  • Expand HomeVet services from house calls to relief veterinary medical services in Sarasota andManatee counties.

Small animal veterinarian vs large animal veterinarian skills

Common small animal veterinarian skills
  • PET, 35%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 17%
  • Patient Care, 11%
  • Soft Tissue, 8%
  • DVM, 8%
  • Internal Medicine, 8%
Common large animal veterinarian skills
  • DVM, 53%
  • Veterinary Medicine, 24%
  • Emergency Cases, 23%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs