What are the different types of Veterinarians and what they do?

Ever wondered what are the different types of Veterinarians and what they do? Whether you're a vet tech looking to expand your career or just curious about the diverse roles in veterinary medicine, this guide is here to break it all down. From treating household pets to working with livestock, Veterinarians play vital roles in animal health, public safety, and scientific research. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of veterinary specialties — no jargon, just straight-up useful info.

Companion animal Veterinarians: The pet whisperers

If you’ve got a dog, cat, or even a guinea pig at home, chances are you’ve visited a companion animal veterinarian. These vets specialize in treating pets — the furry (and sometimes feathery or scaly) members of our families. They handle everything from routine checkups and vaccinations to diagnosing illnesses and performing surgeries.

What’s their day like?
Think wellness exams, dental cleanings, spaying/neutering, and occasionally comforting worried pet parents. About 75% of private practice vets in the U.S. focus on companion animals.

Salary range:
The average salary for companion animal Veterinarians is around $32,819 per year, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Veterinary specialists: The superstars of the field

Veterinary specialists take things up a notch with advanced training in areas like surgery, cardiology, oncology, dermatology, and more. If your pet needs an MRI or cancer treatment, these are the folks you’ll turn to.

How do you become one?
It’s not easy — after earning your DVM degree, you’ll need additional years of internships and residencies before passing board certification exams.

Salary range:
Specialists tend to earn higher salaries than general practitioners. For example:

• Veterinary surgeons: $219,000 annually
• Veterinary oncologists: $175,000 annually

Exotic animal Veterinarians: For the non-traditional pets

Got a snake or parrot? Exotic animal Veterinarians have you covered. They specialize in treating reptiles, birds, amphibians, and small mammals that require unique care. These vets often work in zoos or wildlife sanctuaries but also treat exotic pets at clinics.

Fun fact:
Handling a stressed-out iguana or a chatty cockatoo isn’t for everyone — it takes patience and specialized training.

Food animal Veterinarians: Keeping livestock healthy

Food animal Veterinarians focus on farm animals like cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep that are raised for human consumption. Their job isn’t just about treating sick animals; they also help prevent disease outbreaks and ensure food safety standards are met.

What’s their typical day?
It involves traveling to farms for health checks, advising farmers on nutrition plans, and monitoring herd health.

Salary range:
Food animal vets earn an average of $90,000–$110,000 annually.

Food safety & inspection Veterinarians: Protecting public health

These vets work behind the scenes to make sure your steak dinner is safe to eat. They inspect livestock before slaughter and test meat products for contaminants. Many food safety vets work for government agencies like the USDA.

Why it matters:
Their work prevents zoonotic diseases (those that can transfer from animals to humans) from entering the food chain.

Research Veterinarians: Innovators in science

Research Veterinarians don’t typically work with patients — instead, they focus on scientific studies that improve animal health or develop new treatments. They’re employed by universities, pharmaceutical companies, or government agencies.

What’s their contribution?
From testing vaccines to studying diseases like rabies or avian flu, research vets are at the forefront of medical advancements.

Relief Veterinarians: The flexible pros

Relief Veterinarians step in when clinics need temporary support — think of them as freelance vets. They enjoy flexible schedules and can choose where they want to work. Roo offers relief vets competitive pay ( $144/hour on average) along with perks like direct deposit payments within two business days.

Learn more about relief opportunities with Roo by visiting Roo’s Careers Page.

Highest-paying veterinary careers

Curious about what type of Veterinarians make the most money? Specialists top the list:

• Veterinary ophthalmologists earn around $200,000 annually.
• Laboratory animal vets make approximately $170,000 per year.
  Even relief Veterinarians can earn nearly twice as much per hour as full-time associate vets when working through platforms like Roo.

Types of jobs for Veterinarians beyond clinical practice

Not every vet works in a clinic! Here are some alternative paths:

• Military Veterinarians: Provide care for service animals and conduct research.
• Public health Veterinarians: Work on disease prevention at state or federal levels.
• Corporate roles: Transition into business management or consulting positions.
  Roo makes career transitions easier — check out Roo’s Veterinary Jobs for opportunities tailored to your skills.

Veterinary medicine is as diverse as it gets — whether you’re drawn to saving pets’ lives or advancing science through research, there’s something for everyone. If you're ready to explore new opportunities (or just need some CE credits), Roo has your back! Check out Roo’s Free CE Events today.

FAQs

1. How many types of Veterinarians are there?
Anwer : There are dozens! Major categories include companion animal vets, specialists (20+ recognized fields), exotic animal vets, food animal vets, food safety vets, research vets — plus relief vets who enjoy flexible schedules.

2. Which type of veterinarian earns the most money?
Anwer : Veterinary ophthalmologists lead the pack with salaries around $200K annually.

3. What do food safety & inspection Veterinarians do?
Anwer : They ensure meat products meet sanitation standards and prevent zoonotic diseases from entering the food supply chain.

4. Can I become a relief vet while working full-time?
Anwer : Absolutely! Relief work is flexible and lets you pick up shifts whenever it suits your schedule — learn more at Roo Relief Opportunities.

5. What’s unique about Roo’s relief vet program?
Anwer : Roo offers total flexibility with no membership fees — plus fast payments within two business days!