Vets- what are they really earning?
As Vets, we are familiar with the all-too-common misconception that we are taking home a huge pay check each month. A rewarding career in many aspects, veterinary medicine is not necessarily the route to take if financial gain is your priority. So, what are vets really earning these days and how has it changed over recent years?
Each year, SPVS (the Society for Practicing Veterinary Surgeons) release a salary survey, which aims to provide veterinary professionals across the UK with a benchmark to compare their own earnings/benefits against. Some highlights from the 2022-23 survey reveal that:
-The average new graduate vet salary is £32,000. An increase of 3% from last year
-The average full-time vet salary package is £52,693. An increase of 9% from last year.
-The average full-time RVN salary package is £32,000. An increase of 13% from last year.
-The average locum vet day rate is £425. An increase of 21% from last year.
-The average locum RVN day rate is £199. An increase of 38% from last year.
So it is clear that veterinary salaries are on the rise in a big way, and the reasons for this are likely multifactorial. A significant contributor is the increase in demand for veterinary services in the UK- since lockdown, there has been a real boom in pet ownership….and those pets need vets! This, coupled with the workforce crisis we are experiencing has meant that there is a real shortage of vets to deal with the increase in workload.
The cycle is a vicious one, as the increased pressure on vets has forced more and more to leave the profession, resulting in an even bigger pressure on those remaining.
The current recruitment crisis is further reflected in the huge increase in locum day rates over the last year. These enormous rises demonstrate how desperate practices are to find staff to support their struggling teams.
And again, these lucrative locum rates only fuel the vicious cycle, as it makes this a very attractive career move for those seeking to earn money fast.
Arguably, these pay rises are long overdue and very much deserved- although in reality, salary isn’t often the top priority for vets when they are looking for new jobs. Usually, work-life-balance, and a supportive team are what is most valued. Here at Elite Veterinary Staffing Solutions, we strive to match our candidates with practices that hold these same priorities at their core whilst also paying a salary that makes the candidate feel valued.
It is important to us that Vets and RVNs (and non-clinical veterinary staff) know their worth in this current climate. We can also assist with any negotiations that need to take place to make the contract acceptable for both parties.
If you are a Vet or an RVN considering a new role, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today for a confidential chat. My email address is olivia@elitestaffingsolutions.co.uk.
My lovely colleague Adam specialises in non-clinical roles including Practice Managers and Veterinary Receptionists/Client Care Advisors, so if this is more your area, then please contact him on adam@elitestaffingsolutions.co.uk.
We would love to hear from you. Now is a fantastic time to look for a role (see salary increases above!) and we are working on several excellent opportunities that could be what you are looking for. Give us a try!
