The veterinary industry encompasses an extensive range of roles, each with their own path of progression and salary specification. It’s fair to say that employment in the veterinary sciences is a
very rewarding career, both personally and financially, but how much do vets get paid?
The average starting salary for a newly qualified veterinary surgeon, as of September 2024, is £34,000 and this rises as the individual gains experience and more advanced qualifications.
How much do vets get paid in different sized practices?
A vet with further training and a higher level of skill will earn around £50,000 (or £55,000 in London) in a small practice. In larger practices, it can be up to £57,000 (£65,000 in London).
And what about different levels of experience?
Lead vets can expect to earn around £60,000 – £70,0000 (and up to £75,000 in London) and specialist vets with plenty of experience under their belt can earn between £75,000 and £80,000, (up to £90,000 in London) depending on their specialism.
A vet’s salary will vary depending on their area of expertise, the specialist training they’ve undertaken, the size of their practice and whether they are, for example, a partner in their place of work. Some salary packages may also include housing and a car.
In a 2011 survey of employment in the UK, the average salary for veterinary surgeons ranked 83rd on the list of highest paid professions (£32,970 p.a.) which was a 1.7% increase on the 2010 figure. In 2016, the figure stood at very much the same (£32,145 p.a.) demonstrating the stability of the industry and the reliability of demand for veterinary surgeons and their expertise. Compared with the salary of surgeons, veterinary nurses ranked at 250th in the 2016 survey of the UK’s highest paid jobs, with an average salary of £16,546, which was a 1.3% increase on the 2015 figure.
How much do vets get paid in other fields?
Other veterinary careers offer attractive salaries, too. A veterinary physiotherapist can earn around £24,000 to £38,000 per year year. Senior physiotherapists and consultants can earn up to £65,000 p.a. depending on the number of hours they choose to work. Likewise, animal nutritionists salaries begin around £22,000 per graduation, rising to £30,000 to £35,000 with around three to five years’ experience.
The veterinary world is a highly competitive but highly rewarding environment to work in. The training and experience required are extensive and demanding, but this is quite rightly reflected in
the substantial salaries and numerous work benefits often included.