Is there a demand for veterinarians in the future?
Henry Morales
Published Mar 19, 2026
Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Overall job prospects are expected to be very good.
Is there a veterinarian shortage?
A Shortage of Veterinarians and Technicians. Studies by economist and former University of Florida veterinary college dean Dr. Jim Lloyd point to a growing shortage of veterinarians in the range of 3,000 to 5,000. As baby-boomer veterinarians retire (approaching a 2,000-a-year pace), the shortage grows.
Do we need more veterinarians?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the need for veterinarians will continue to rise by 18% from 2018 to 2028. This is much faster than average for job growth of all occupations. The BLS data suggests that people are spending more on pet care, and this is contributing to the demand for veterinarians.
What is the biggest issue facing veterinary medicine today?
The biggest challenge of all is for veterinary practices to keep on top of changing standards, emerging trends and new drugs, therapies and treatments in the field. Health challenges related to heartworm, diabetes and cancer continue to grow.
Do veterinarians make more money than doctors?
Veterinarians may not make as much as a doctor, but it is equally as rewarding. Veterinarians and doctors both provide medical care for patients – whether they’re human, feathered, four-legged or have scales. Doctors earn higher average salaries than veterinarians.
What is the future of veterinary medicine?
The future is decidedly bright for veterinary medicine based upon its societal contributions, including animal welfare and wellbeing, biomedical research, food animal health and production, safeguarding the health and role of companion animals in our society, and conservation of species.
What are the challenges of having a veterinary clinic?
We explore some challenges that veterinarians commonly face and how you can overcome them to take your practice and career to greater heights.
- #1 Staying relevant with changing practice norms.
- #2 Managing pricing and cash flow.
- #3 Responding to competition.
- #4 Dealing with employees.
What problems do veterinarians face?
The Top 10 Problems Veterinarians Face (and How to Solve Them)
- Angry Customers. Most pet owners are cordial when their pets are well, but the tables may turn when the news isn’t good.
- Pricing.
- Stress.
- Disgruntled Employees.
- Slow Cash Flow.
- Continued Education.
- Competition.
- Lack of Time.
Is being a vet a happy job?
Veterinarians rate their happiness above average. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, veterinarians rate their career happiness 3.7 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 20% of careers.
Why do vets get paid so little?
While veterinary medicine does have some insurance involvement, it is usually pay up front and the owner is reimbursed after sending in a copy of the bill. Market demand for veterinary services is lower than market demand for human medical services. This is in large part what determines the discrepancy.
How will the veterinary profession change in the future?
How will technology change veterinary in the future?
Technological solutions can help increase patient communication, improve diagnostic potential and integrate business functionality. Software integration can help reduce error and labor time, boost productivity and enhance the quality of patient care.
Is being a vet dangerous?
The risks they face are many: infectious agents, zoonotic agents, waste anesthetic gases, medications, animal bites, repetitive-motion injuries, noise, ionizing radiation, long work hours, stress, and more. The most-frequently reported injuries are animal bites and scratches received while restraining animals.
Why are veterinarians so unhappy?
They have wanted to save animals since childhood—and still do—but are often unhappy about other areas of their chosen field. Many veterinarians do, however, lack purpose. They struggle with a sense of belonging and may not feel they fit in with their workplace culture and values.