U.S. veterinarian numbers 2020

These statistics show U.S. veterinary positions (among employed veterinarians) as of December 31, 2020.

View current statistics

Total = 118,624

Male = 42,546
Female = 75,900
Unknown=178

Definitions of categories below

The species categories listed under Private Clinical Practice can be defined by the following calculations.

Species categories

  • Food animal exclusive: Sum of (Bovine, Porcine, Ovine/Caprine, Camelid, Cervid and Poultry) is at least 90% of the contact.
  • Food animal predominant: Sum of (Bovine, Porcine, Ovine/Caprine, Camelid, Cervid and Poultry) is at least 50% of the contact.
  • Mixed animal: Varied species with at least 25% from companion animal and 25% from either food animal or equine.
  • Companion animal predominant: Sum of (Canine, Feline, Avian (non-poultry) and Exotics) is at least 50% of the contact.
  • Companion animal exclusive: Sum of (Canine, Feline, Avian (non-poultry) and Exotics) is at least 90% of the contact.
  • Equine: Combination of equine predominant and exclusive where there's at least 50% contact with equines.
1 Includes active AVMA members (Regular, Recent Graduates, and Educational) and Non-members (Excludes non-members born prior to 1950 and non-members who received their veterinary degree prior to 1976)
2 Veterinarians may hold more than one position.
Updated 1/2021

View previous statistics

2019 |2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |