by Darlene
Is Becoming a Veterinarian Worth It?
Becoming a vet is definitely worth it depending on your individual ambitions and desires. It is a demanding and rewarding career that requires a lot of dedication and hard work to achieve success, but the rewards can be great. As a vet, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of animals, help improve their quality of life, and make a difference in the lives of both animals and humans.
Financial Considerations for Veterinarians
The purely financial answer is yes, vet school is worth it — but barely. The projected lifetime earnings of a veterinarian compared to the average college grad is $450,000 after taxes versus the $292,000 in cost of paying back student loans.
Salary Insights for Veterinarians
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median veterinarian salary is $93,830. However, veterinarian salaries can range from around $56,000 on the low end to around $162,000 on the high end. Companion animal practice vets generally earn the most, at an average of $110,000 a year. Mixed animal vets are generalists and earn an average annual income of $100,000 a year. Food animal practice vets (usually treating farm animals) average about $100,000 annually, as well. The lowest-earning vet practices are equine (horses), with their vets paid a mean annual salary of $90,000.
