U.S. veterinarian numbers 2020

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

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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

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