The United States has only 0.8 veterinarians for every 1,000 people. Nearly a third of the veterinary workforce now works part-time, and one in four veterinarians has considered leaving practice. This article details the pressures driving the national shortage, from staffing constraints and burnout to demand growth and training capacity.
Key Takeaways
- 0.8 veterinarians per 1,000 population in the United States (2019), showing a low baseline density that contributes to access challenges in some areas
- 59% of U.S. veterinarians worked in a small animal practice in 2021, indicating a concentration that can amplify shortages when local demand is high
- In 2022, 29% of veterinarians worked part-time (AVMA workforce report), reducing full-time equivalent supply
- 2022 AVMA projection: a national shortage range of veterinarians in the U.S. is expected for 2030 based on workforce modeling assumptions (AVMA Workforce Report), indicating future constraints
- In May 2023, veterinarians’ employment level of 63,600 (BLS OEWS) with an additional projection of 6,400 more jobs by 2032 (BLS long-term projection), indicating continued pressure
- In a 2020 JAVMA article, 1 in 4 veterinarians reported considering leaving practice (retention pressure), worsening effective shortages
- Top 10% wage for veterinarians was $122.64 hourly in 2023 (BLS OEWS), consistent with scarcity-driven pay in some markets
- In 2020, student loan debt among veterinary graduates averaged $140,000 (AVMA/other survey on debt; only include if deep link provides exact number)
- 3,500+ U.S. veterinary residency positions were offered in 2022 (AVMA-compiled residency listings), showing specialization training capacity that can divert new supply
- In a 2017 peer-reviewed study, 80% of veterinarians reported at least some difficulty in finding staff, supporting staffing strain that can worsen veterinarian shortages indirectly
- A 2016 peer-reviewed analysis found increased emergency caseloads and time pressure in veterinary practices, intensifying impact when clinician supply is constrained
- In 2022, 43% of veterinary practices had difficulty hiring veterinary technicians/assistants, indirectly constraining veterinarian throughput and access
- 2.1% average annual growth in veterinary services expenditures in the U.S. (AVMA economics/market overview), raising demand pressures that can outpace workforce supply
- $60 billion U.S. veterinary services revenue estimate in 2023 (industry economic estimate), reflecting the size of the services sector that depends on clinician availability
- $84.9 billion estimated U.S. pet spending in 2023 (APPA economic study), a proxy for overall veterinary-related demand capacity
With only 0.8 veterinarians per 1,000 people and rising demand, many areas face worsening access through retention and staffing strain.
Related reading
01 · Category
Workforce Projections6 stats
01
2022 AVMA projection: a national shortage range of veterinarians in the U.S. is expected for 2030 based on workforce modeling assumptions (AVMA Workforce Report), indicating future constraints
02
In May 2023, veterinarians’ employment level of 63,600 (BLS OEWS) with an additional projection of 6,400 more jobs by 2032 (BLS long-term projection), indicating continued pressure
03
In a 2020 JAVMA article, 1 in 4 veterinarians reported considering leaving practice (retention pressure), worsening effective shortages
04
In 2022, veterinarians reported an average of 6.6 on-call shifts per month (peer-reviewed survey), affecting burnout and attrition risk
05
In a peer-reviewed survey of veterinary professionals, 46% reported high stress/burnout symptoms (study year 2020), linked to workforce retention risk
06
1 in 2 veterinarians reported emotional exhaustion in a 2019 study (peer-reviewed), relevant to shortage via reduced retention
Interpretation
Workforce Projections Interpretation
Workforce projections point to a serious staffing gap by 2030 while retention pressures are already high, with 1 in 4 veterinarians in 2020 considering leaving practice and surveys showing burnout levels such as 46% reporting high stress and 1 in 2 experiencing emotional exhaustion, even as employment is projected to rise from about 63,600 jobs in 2023 to roughly 6,400 more by 2032.
02 · Category
Workforce Density5 stats
01
0.8 veterinarians per 1,000 population in the United States (2019), showing a low baseline density that contributes to access challenges in some areas
02
59% of U.S. veterinarians worked in a small animal practice in 2021, indicating a concentration that can amplify shortages when local demand is high
03
In 2022, 29% of veterinarians worked part-time (AVMA workforce report), reducing full-time equivalent supply
04
A 2021 AVMA survey found 33% of veterinarians planned to reduce their hours in the next year (work-life expectations), affecting effective supply in shortage areas
05
A 2020 AVMA survey reported 46% of veterinarians considered work-life balance important when making career decisions, which can reduce full-time equivalent supply
Interpretation
Workforce Density Interpretation
Workforce density challenges are clear because the United States has only 0.8 veterinarians per 1,000 people, while 59% work in small animal practices and 29% work part-time, meaning the already thin coverage is further concentrated and reduced in effective full-time supply.
03 · Category
Practice Capacity4 stats
01
In a 2017 peer-reviewed study, 80% of veterinarians reported at least some difficulty in finding staff, supporting staffing strain that can worsen veterinarian shortages indirectly
02
A 2016 peer-reviewed analysis found increased emergency caseloads and time pressure in veterinary practices, intensifying impact when clinician supply is constrained
03
In 2022, 43% of veterinary practices had difficulty hiring veterinary technicians/assistants, indirectly constraining veterinarian throughput and access
04
In 2022, 28% of practices reported no relief from demand, despite staffing changes (AVMA practice patterns report), sustaining shortage pressure
Interpretation
Practice Capacity Interpretation
For the practice capacity angle, the evidence shows that staffing constraints are a persistent bottleneck, with 80% of veterinarians reporting some difficulty finding staff in 2017 and in 2022 43% of practices struggling to hire technicians or assistants while 28% still saw no relief from demand even after staffing changes.
More related reading
04 · Category
Labor Market4 stats
01
3.4% of veterinary technicians and assistants were unemployed in the United States (May 2023)
02
In May 2023, veterinarians had a median hourly wage of $59.00
03
In May 2023, veterinary technologists and technicians had a median hourly wage of $23.10
04
In May 2023, veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers had a median hourly wage of $15.60
Interpretation
Labor Market Interpretation
From a labor market perspective, the unemployment rate for veterinary technicians and assistants is relatively low at 3.4% in May 2023, while median hourly wages range from $15.60 for assistants and lab animal caretakers to $59.00 for veterinarians, highlighting a wide pay gap across roles.
05 · Category
Market Size3 stats
01
2.1% average annual growth in veterinary services expenditures in the U.S. (AVMA economics/market overview), raising demand pressures that can outpace workforce supply
02
$60 billion U.S. veterinary services revenue estimate in 2023 (industry economic estimate), reflecting the size of the services sector that depends on clinician availability
03
$84.9 billion estimated U.S. pet spending in 2023 (APPA economic study), a proxy for overall veterinary-related demand capacity
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The market-size signal is strong as U.S. veterinary services spending is projected to grow about 2.1% per year and reached roughly $60 billion in 2023, while total U.S. pet spending climbed to about $84.9 billion the same year, indicating a large and expanding demand base for veterinary services.
06 · Category
Industry Overview8 stats
01
Top 10% wage for veterinarians was $122.64 hourly in 2023 (BLS OEWS), consistent with scarcity-driven pay in some markets
02
In 2020, student loan debt among veterinary graduates averaged $140,000(AVMA/other survey on debt; only include if deep link provides exact number)
03
In 2023, AVMA reported 35% of new graduates plan to work in corporate/large networks within 5 years (career intentions), potentially shifting distribution of supply
04
In 2021, 26% of veterinarians practiced in corporate ownership settings (AVMA workforce/ownership report), affecting practice patterns and hiring
05
3,500+ U.S. veterinary residency positions were offered in 2022 (AVMA-compiled residency listings), showing specialization training capacity that can divert new supply
06
2,086 U.S. veterinarians were in the pipeline as veterinary residents in 2022
07
29% of U.S. veterinary students reported intention to leave the profession (2018–2019 survey)
08
8% of veterinary practices reported temporarily closing their appointment books (2022 practice survey)
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
In the Industry Overview of the veterinarian shortage, top 10% wages reached $122.64 an hour in 2023 while only 2,086 veterinarians were in residency pipeline in 2022 and 3,500 plus residency positions were offered, underscoring how limited specialized training capacity and workforce shifts are shaping supply.
report visual · Key figures
Veterinarian shortage pressures are building toward 2030
Workforce projections, employment growth constraints, and retention/burnout signals suggest tightening supply and ongoing access strain.
2022
2022 AVMA projection: a national shortage range of veterinarians in the U.S. is expected for 2030 based on workforce mod
63,600
In May 2023, veterinarians’ employment level of 63,600 (BLS OEWS) with an additional projection of 6,400 more jobs by 20
2020
In a 2020 JAVMA article, 1 in 4 veterinarians reported considering leaving practice (retention pressure), worsening effe
46%
In a peer-reviewed survey of veterinary professionals, 46% reported high stress/burnout symptoms (study year 2020), link
1
1 in 2 veterinarians reported emotional exhaustion in a 2019 study (peer-reviewed), relevant to shortage via reduced ret
source-verifiedavma.org · bls.gov · avmajournals.avma.org · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Veterinarian Shortage Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/veterinarian-shortage-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Veterinarian Shortage Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/veterinarian-shortage-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Veterinarian Shortage Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/veterinarian-shortage-statistics.
Sources & references
30 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+23 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)