What it is

Do you want to know the possible salary ranges of a veterinarian—whether in a clinic, animal health company, government, academia, or elsewhere? The AVMA Veterinary Salary Estimator for Current Students can provide you with an approximate range to use as a guide for pay negotiations, budgeting and financial planning, through the use of historical data trends.

Who should use it

The salary estimator is the perfect tool for current veterinary students. If you already have graduated from veterinary school, you should use the new veterinarian salary estimator or the salary tool for rising professionals.

How it works

Using the AVMA's economic data, we've identified several key variables that statistically correlate to differences in salaries for a new graduate's first job. This estimator allows you to easily calculate possible earning ranges for different scenarios. It's designed to help you address the spectrum of decisions you might encounter–Where do you want to live? What type of job do you want? Are you interested in pursuing more formal education? We encourage you to calculate multiple scenarios.

Note: For the scenarios to yield statistically accurate results, you must input all variables in each calculation.

This information is based on historical averages. The critical word here is averages. An important part of any salary negotiation or career change is to pinpoint your unique skills or experience, determine their value, and include them in your discussions with your current or potential new employer. Remember also that because it is based on historical data, this is a tool that indicates what has been, rather than what should be. Actual salaries must be negotiated between the employer and the veterinarian, taking into account all relevant factors. A salary may be more or less, given the facts of the particular situation.

For more information on the veterinary salary estimator check out our FAQ.

Estimate your possible salary range by answering 5 quick questions.