1. Nurse Veterinarian EMT 1

2. 2

3. Veterinarians should love animals and be able to get along with their owners. Graduate from an accredited college of veterinary medicine and a State license are required; admission to veterinary school is competitive. Job opportunities should be excellent. About 80 percent of veterinarians work in private practice. 3

4. Median annual wages of veterinarians were $79,050 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $61,370 and $104,110. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,610, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $143,660. 4

5. Prospective veterinarians must graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from a 4-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Works with veterinarians or scientists in clinics, agribusiness, research, or some area of health science, is particularly advantageous. Working with animals on a farm, or at a stable or animal shelter, also can be helpful. 5

6. Employment of veterinarians is expected to increase 33 percent over the 2008–18 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. Excellent job opportunities are expected because there are only 28 accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, resulting in a limited number of graduates— about 2,500—each year. 6