Veterinary medicine occupies a unique position in the public health landscape, acting as a direct link between animal welfare, food safety, and human health. The care of companion animals, livestock, and wildlife depends entirely on the professionals who staff clinics, farms, and research facilities across the country. Understanding the size and structure of this workforce is necessary for assessing the profession’s capacity to meet growing public demand. This analysis provides current statistical data on the number of practicing veterinarians in the United States and the factors shaping the industry.
The Current Census of Veterinarians in the US
The most recent authoritative count places the total number of veterinarians in the United States at 127,131 as of late 2023, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This figure represents the population of licensed professionals, encompassing those actively practicing, working in government or academia, or holding administrative roles. It is a dynamic number that changes annually with new graduates entering the field and established professionals retiring or leaving the workforce. Counting the workforce can vary depending on the methodology used, which creates a distinction between licensed individuals and employed positions. Organizations like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) often report a lower number of jobs, as their count focuses strictly on employed positions rather than the total number of licensed doctors of veterinary medicine (DVMs).
Distribution and Types of Veterinary Practice
The majority of the US veterinarian population is concentrated in companion animal practice, reflecting the high rate of pet ownership nationwide. Approximately 73% of veterinarians in 2023 worked primarily in the companion animal sector, which includes small animals like dogs, cats, and exotics. This specialization has grown over the last two decades, driven by the increased humanization of pets and the willingness of owners to invest in advanced medical care.
The remaining portion of the workforce is distributed among diverse and specialized areas. These sectors include food animal practice, which focuses on livestock and maintaining the safety of the food supply, and equine practice, dedicated to horses. Further specialization exists in non-clinical roles, such as laboratory animal medicine, public health, government positions, and academia. This distribution creates a geographical imbalance, often leaving shortages in rural regions that depend on food animal and mixed animal practitioners.
Growth Trends and Future Outlook of the Profession
The veterinary profession is projected to experience a strong growth rate over the next decade, outpacing the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of veterinarians to grow by 10% from 2024 to 2034. This expansion is largely fueled by several societal and economic factors that increase the demand for animal healthcare services.
A primary driver of this projected growth is the continuing trend of pets being viewed as family members, leading to higher spending on diagnostics and specialized treatments. Advances in veterinary medicine, such as oncology and complex surgical procedures, also contribute to the need for a larger workforce. This sustained demand, coupled with the need to replace professionals who retire or transfer to other careers, is expected to create thousands of job openings each year.
Factors Affecting the Veterinary Workforce
Despite the projected job growth, the profession faces significant challenges that threaten the stability and retention of its workforce. One of the most substantial systemic issues is the high cost of veterinary education, which results in a considerable student debt burden. The average educational debt for graduating veterinarians is over $154,000, which can complicate career choices and contribute to financial stress.
The demanding nature of the work environment also contributes to lower retention rates and high burnout. More than 50% of veterinarians report moderate to high levels of burnout, a condition linked to chronic workplace stress, long hours, and emotional exhaustion from managing difficult cases and client expectations. Furthermore, the capacity of the 33 accredited veterinary schools in the US limits the number of new DVMs entering the market each year, creating a bottleneck that prevents the supply of veterinarians from fully meeting the rapidly increasing demand for services.
Related Veterinary Support Professionals
The work of licensed veterinarians is critically supported by a large and growing number of technical staff. These support professionals include Veterinary Technicians (Vet Techs) and Veterinary Assistants, who handle a wide range of essential clinical and administrative tasks. There are approximately 110,000 credentialed veterinary technicians in the United States, and over 156,000 veterinary assistants.
Veterinary technicians are highly skilled professionals who perform tasks such as administering anesthesia, collecting laboratory samples, and assisting in surgery, essentially serving as nurses for animals. Veterinary assistants provide crucial support by handling routine animal care, cleaning, and preparing equipment. The efficient utilization of these support staff is a recognized factor in improving practice workflow and maximizing the productivity of the veterinary team.