Occupation Summary

Veterinarians

O*NET 29-1131.00

Description:

Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

Annual Wages:
$119,135.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 26.18%.
Education Level:
Doctoral Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
  2. Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
  3. Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
  4. Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
  5. Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
  6. Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
  7. Train or supervise workers who handle or care for animals.
  8. Provide care to a wide range of animals or specialize in a particular species, such as horses or exotic birds.
  9. Euthanize animals.
  10. Establish or conduct quarantine or testing procedures that prevent the spread of diseases to other animals or to humans and that comply with applicable government regulations.
  11. Conduct postmortem studies and analyses to determine the causes of animals' deaths.
  12. Direct the overall operations of animal hospitals, clinics, or mobile services to farms.
  13. Drive mobile clinic vans to farms so that health problems can be treated or prevented.
  14. Specialize in a particular type of treatment, such as dentistry, pathology, nutrition, surgery, microbiology, or internal medicine.
  15. Inspect and test horses, sheep, poultry, or other animals to detect the presence of communicable diseases.
  16. Plan or execute animal nutrition or reproduction programs.
  17. Research diseases to which animals could be susceptible.
  18. Inspect animal housing facilities to determine their cleanliness and adequacy.
  19. Determine the effects of drug therapies, antibiotics, or new surgical techniques by testing them on animals.
  20. Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, general care, medical conditions, or treatment options.
  21. Attend lectures, conferences, or continuing education courses.
  22. Perform administrative or business management tasks, such as scheduling appointments, accepting payments from clients, budgeting, or maintaining business records.
  23. Counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.

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National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Veterinarians employed Annual Growth Rate
Other professional, scientific, and technical services 80.3 1.43


Labor Market Information


2022 Statewide average hourly wage $57.28
2022 National average hourly wage $62.07
2020 National employment 86,800
2020 Texas employment 5,612
Texas projected employment by 2030 7,081
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2030 347




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
93.80%
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
93.80%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
89.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
86.80%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
74.20%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
69.20%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
67.40%
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
66.80%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
66.20%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
62.40%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
82.40%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
82.40%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
80.00%
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
77.60%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
77.60%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
77.60%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
77.60%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
77.60%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
70.00%
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
67.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
82.40%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
82.40%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
82.40%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
80.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
75.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
72.40%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
72.40%


  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Other Activities


  • Achievement
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.



Tools

Air rifles or air handguns: Dart guns; Capture rifles;

Angiography contrast medium delivery sets: Angiography catheters;

Animal catching devices: Animal catching poles; Animal snares;

Animal husbandry equipment: Hoof picks; Hoof testers; Cattle chutes; Dehorners;

Animal shearing or clipping equipment: Electric animal clippers;

Animal weighing scales: Electronic animal scales;

Arterial line catheters: Arterial line catheters;

Autopsy chisels or osteotomes: Osteotomes;

Bar code reader equipment: Barcode scanners;

Benchtop centrifuges: Benchtop centrifuges;

Binocular light compound microscopes: Optical compound microscopes;

Blood collection syringes: Blood collection syringes;

Blood gas analyzers: Blood gas analyzers;

Cardiac output CO monitoring units: Cardiac monitors;

Cardiovascular system veterinary products: Thoracic drainage catheters;

Cast cutters or saws: Cast cutting saws;

Chemistry analyzers: Automated chemistry analyzers;

Chest tubes: Chest tubes;

Coagulation analyzers: Coagulation analyzers;

Cosmetic dentistry curing lights: Visible light curing units;

Crown or bridge removers: Crown pullers;

Cryosurgery units: Cryosurgery units;

Dental burs: Dental burs;

Dental carvers: Dental carvers;

Dental cord packers: Dental cord packers;

Dental elevators: Dental elevators; Periosteal elevators;

Dental files or rasps: Dental files;

Dental finishing or polishing discs: Prophylaxis angles;

Dental forceps: Extraction forceps;

Dental handpieces: Low speed dental handpieces; High-speed dental handpieces;

Dental impression trays: Veterinary dental impression trays;

Dental material pluggers or tips: Dental material pluggers; Dental amalgam carriers;

Dental mirrors or mirror handles: Dental examination mirrors;

Dental mouth prop or bite block or gag: Veterinary dental mouth props;

Dental probes or explorers: Dental explorers; Dental probes or explorers;

Dental reamers: Dental reamers;

Dental root tip picks: Dental root tip picks;

Dental scalers: Hand scalers; Ultrasonic dental scalers;

Dental spreaders: Dental spreaders;

Dental x ray units: Veterinary dental x ray equipment;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital cameras: Digital cameras;

Electrosurgical or electrocautery equipment: Electrosurgery units;

Endoscopic hemostatic balloons or needles or tubes or accessories: Hemostats;

Endoscopic instrument sets: Fiberoptic endoscopes; Arthroscopic surgical equipment;

Endotracheal tubes: Endotracheal ET tubes;

Enema kits: Enema equipment;

Enteral feeding administration sets: Enteral feeding equipment;

Full body immersion hydrotherapy baths or tanks: Veterinary immersion hydrotherapy equipment;

Gas anesthesia apparatus or machines: Veterinary anesthesia machines;

Glucose monitors or meters: Glucometers;

Goggles: Safety goggles;

Goniometers or arthrometers: Goniometers or arthrometers;

Handheld refractometers or polarimeters: Handheld refractometers;

Hematology analyzers: Hematology analyzers;

Hemocytometers: Hemocytometers;

Intermittent positive pressure breathing IPPB machines: Mechanical intermittent positive pressure ventilators;

Intravenous infusion pumps for general use: Intravenous IV fluid pumps;

Intravenous or arterial fluid warmers: Intravenous IV fluid warmers;

Intravenous syringe infusion pumps: Intravenous syringe pumps;

Intravenous tubing with catheter administration kits: Intravenous IV administration sets;

Intubation laryngoscopes: Laryngoscopes;

Laboratory animal restraints or harnesses: Avian restrainers;

Laboratory balances: Laboratory scales;

Laparoscopes or laparoscopic telescopes: Laparoscopic equipment;

Livestock identification equipment: Tattoo equipment;

Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters: Differential cell counters;

Medical acoustic stethoscopes: Mechanical stethoscopes;

Medical cinefluoroscopy units: Fluoroscopy units;

Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes: Computed tomography CT scanners;

Medical gamma cameras for general use: Gamma ray cameras;

Medical linear accelerator intensity modulated radiation therapy IMRT three dimensional units: Image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy IMRT equipment;

Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI scanners: Magnetic resonance imaging MRI systems;

Medical radiation films or badges: Radiation detecting film badges;

Medical radioisotope scanners: Nuclear scintigraphy equipment;

Medical radiological shielding aprons or masks or drapes: Lead aprons; Thyroid collars;

Medical radiological shielding gloves: Lead gloves;

Medical staplers for external use: Skin staplers;

Medical syringes with needle: Single dose syringes;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph transducer accessories: Echocardiogram equipment;

Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echocardiograph or echocardiograph units for general diagnostic use: Veterinary ultrasound equipment;

Medical x ray darkroom accessories: X ray film processors;

Medical x ray intensifying screens: X ray intensifying equipment;

Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use: Portable veterinary x ray equipment; Stationary x ray equipment; Digital x ray equipment;

Microbiology analyzers: Automated microbial identification systems;

Microcentrifuges: Microhematocrit centrifuges;

Microscope slides: Microscope slides;

Mobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles: Semiautomated or automatic external defibrillators AED;

Mobile or transportable medical linear accelerators: Linear accelerator equipment;

Multiparameter vital sign units: Mobile multiparameter monitors;

Muzzles: Muzzles;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Ophthalmic irrigation or aspiration supplies: Eye lavage kits;

Ophthalmic surgical knives or blades: Ophthalmic surgical blades;

Ophthalmic tonometers: Ophthalmic tonometers;

Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope sets: Otoscopes; Ophthalmoscopes;

Orthopedic splint systems: Veterinary orthopedic splints;

Oxygen therapy delivery system products: Oxygen administration equipment;

Periodontal chisels: Periodontal chisels;

Periodontal curettes: Periodontal curettes;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Protective gloves: Safety gloves;

Pulse oximeter units: Pulse oximeters;

Respiratory monitoring kits: Respiration monitors;

Restraints: Nose tongs;

Resuscitation masks: Ambu bags;

Scanners: Digitizers;

Specimen collection container: Specimen collection containers;

Steam autoclaves or sterilizers: Steam autoclaves;

Surgical bone cutting forceps: Bone cutting forceps;

Surgical bone hand saws or wire saws or saw handles: Surgical bone saws;

Surgical calipers or rulers or protractors: Surgical calipers;

Surgical chisels or gouges: Bone chisels;

Surgical clamps or clips or forceps: Bone clamps; Bone fragment forceps; Bone holding forceps; Dressing forceps; Mosquito forceps; Kelly forceps; Hemoclips; Sponge forceps; Staple removal forceps; Towel clamps; Tissue forceps; Veterinary obstetrical forceps;

Surgical curettes or loops or curette sets: Bone curettes;

Surgical gloves: Surgical gloves;

Surgical isolation or surgical masks: Surgical masks; Protective face shields;

Surgical lasers: Laser surgery units;

Surgical microscopes or loupes or magnifiers: Operating microscopes; Surgical magnifiers;

Surgical mouth gags: Veterinary surgical mouth gags;

Surgical needle holders: Needle holders;

Surgical pneumatic or battery or electric saws or drills or pin drivers: Battery-operated orthopedic drills; Orthopedic drills;

Surgical punches or punch holders: Biopsy punches;

Surgical rasps or files: Bone rasps;

Surgical retractors: Surgical retractors; Lip retractors;

Surgical rongeurs: Bone ronguers;

Surgical scalpels or knives or blades or trephines: Surgical scalpels;

Surgical scissors: Bandage scissors; Mayo scissors;

Surgical suction machine or vacuum extractor or ultrasonic surgical aspirator: Ultrasonic aspirators; Bone marrow aspirators;

Suture needles: Suture needles;

Tablet computers: Tablet computers;

Therapeutic heating or cooling units or systems: Veterinary patient warming systems;

Tourniquets: Tourniquets;

Treadmill exercisers for rehabilitation or therapy: Veterinary rehabilitation treadmills;

Ultrasonic cleaning equipment: Ultrasonic instrument cleaners;

Urinary catheterization kits: Urinary catheters;

Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers: Evacuated blood collection tubes;

Veterinary blood pressure testers: Ultrasonic blood pressure monitors;

Veterinary castration instruments: Castrating knives;

Veterinary clinical thermometers: Digital veterinary thermometers;

Veterinary electrocardiograph ECG: Animal electrocardiograph ECG units;

Veterinary injection or suction unit: Aspiration catheters; Ear syringes; Insemination equipment; Veterinary suction equipment;

Veterinary nail trimmers or cutters: Hoof trimmers; Hoof knives; Nail trimmers;

Veterinary speculums: Veterinary vaginal specula; Veterinary oral specula;

Volumetric pipettes: Volumetric glass pipettes;


Technology

Data base user interface and query software: IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX VPM; Microsoft Access;

Document management software: Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Medical software: Mobile Data Software VetInfo; Sneakers Software DVMax Practice; Vetport; American Data Systems PAWS Veterinary Practice Management; Complete Clinic; Eklin Information Systems VIA; Henry Schein ImproMed; IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone; ImproMed Infinity; InformaVet ALIS-VET; IntraVet;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Veterinarians include:
  • 29-1229.01 Allergists and Immunologists
  • 29-1141.04 Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • 29-1213.00 Dermatologists
  • 29-1214.00 Emergency Medicine Physicians
  • 29-1216.00 General Internal Medicine Physicians
  • 29-1218.00 Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • 29-1221.00 Pediatricians, General
  • 29-1222.00 Physicians, Pathologists
  • 29-1229.05 Preventive Medicine Physicians
  • 29-1229.03 Urologists


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about careers in veterinary medicine, a list of U.S. schools and colleges of veterinary medicine, and information on accreditation policies, visit: American Veterinary Medical Association
  • For more information about veterinary education, visit: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
  • For information about the licensing exam, visit: International Council for Veterinary Assessment
  • Veterinarians

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.