3114-NOC

Veterinarians

(NOC 31103)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$125,136
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
570

Career Overview

Veterinarians prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and disorders in animals.

People in this occupation:

  • Advise clients on the feeding, hygiene, housing and general care of animals
  • Work in private practice or may be employed by animal clinics and laboratories, government or industry

 

Duties

Veterinarians:

  • Identify diseases or abnormal conditions in animals through physical examinations or laboratory tests
  • Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds or performing surgery
  • Do routine, emergency and post-mortem examinations
  • Vaccinate animals to prevent diseases
  • Offer obstetrical and dental services
  • Advise clients on feeding, housing, breeding, hygiene and general care of animals
  • Offer euthanasia services
  • May supervise animal health technologists and animal care workers
  • May be responsible for overall operation of animal hospital, clinic or mobile service to farms
  • May conduct veterinary research
  • May enforce government regulations in disease control and food production including animal or animal-based food inspection

Special duties

The duties of veterinarians performing research may be similar to those of some biologists.

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$125,136

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$88.94/hr
Median$60.00/hr
Low$38.48/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

1,490

% Employed Full Time

63%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work generally takes place in animal hospitals or clinics
  • Work may take place outdoors in various weather conditions.
  • Workers may be exposed to infectious bacteria and viruses that may cause illness
  • Working with equipment and instruments may cause injuries
  • Strong or toxic odours may be present in the workplace

Career Pathways

Career path information is currently not available.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative

Job Titles

Farm veterinarian
Small animal veterinary specialist
Veterinarian
Veterinary inspector
Veterinary pathologist
Veterinary physiologist
Veterinary surgeon
Zoo veterinarian

Education, Training and Skills

  • Two years of pre-veterinary university studies or completion of a college program in health science
    and
    A four to five year university degree in veterinary medicine
    and
    Completion of national certification examinations are required.
  • A provincial licence to practice is required
  • Entry into research positions may require post-graduate study

Veterinarians who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the College of Veterinarians of BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Animal Health/Science
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

79%
Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

78%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

76%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

76%
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.

76%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

75%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

75%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

73%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

68%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

62%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

1,490
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 35 2.3%
Kootenay 50 3.4%
Mainland/Southwest 800 53.7%
North Coast and Nechako 15 1.0%
Northeast 10 0.7%
Thompson-Okanagan 195 13.1%
Vancouver Island/Coast 380 25.5%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

570
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 10 -0.3%
Kootenay 10 -1.1%
Mainland/Southwest 330 0.9%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 80 1.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 140 0.6%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services530
Public Administration40
Agriculture And Fishing0
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources