2024 analysis of compensation, job duties, and benefits among US shelter medicine veterinarians.

Abstract

Objective: To understand the salary, benefits, hours, and job duties of shelter medicine veterinarians.

Methods: Similar to a 2018 survey, an anonymous survey on compensation and duties of shelter medicine veterinarians was conducted via a commercial platform from January 4 to 31, 2024. The survey was distributed through social media, message boards, and specialty listservs. Participants were categorized into part-time clinical veterinarians, full-time clinical veterinarians, academic faculty, and leadership/consultants.

Results: 299 US shelter veterinarians responded: 258 were engaged in clinical work (198 working full time and 60 part time), 18 worked in academia, and 23 held leadership/consulting roles. Full-time clinical veterinarians reported a median salary of $122,500, reflecting a 25% increase since 2018. Part-time clinicians earned $85/h-a 77% increase-while working a median of 24 h/wk. Faculty had a median salary of $130,000, a 20% increase. Those in leadership or consulting roles earned a median of $168,000, a 40% increase.

Conclusions: Salaries increased across all categories, with the highest increase for leadership/consulting roles and the lowest for academic positions. Part-time veterinarians saw a large rise in hourly rates, while working fewer hours. Leadership positions yielded the highest incomes, followed by faculty. Clinical salaries were 5% lower than the AVMA-reported 2022 salaries for private practice veterinarians and 7% lower for companion animal veterinarians.

Clinical relevance: Understanding these compensation trends assists shelter veterinarians in making informed career decisions and negotiations. Despite salary increases, shelter veterinarians' earnings remain lower than those in private practice.