ER and specialty veterinary teams are busier than ever, but hospitals are struggling to keep up—not just with patient demand but also with hiring and retention.
Veterinary professionals shoulder immense responsibility, but their compensation often doesn’t reflect the demands of the job. When pay fails to keep pace with workload and expectations, teams burn out, turnover rises, and hospitals are left scrambling to fill critical roles.
Our State of Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Care in 2024 report lays it all out: Pay gaps—especially for technicians, nurses, and practice managers—are driving talented people out of the field. And it isn’t just about money. Veterinary pay equity ensures that every team member is compensated fairly, feels valued, and receives the support and respect they deserve.
Why Veterinary Pay Equity Matters More Than Ever
Pay isn’t just a number. It plays a huge role in whether veterinary team members choose to stay—or start job hunting. According to our report, many are choosing the latter.
Key Salary Data from Instinct's 2024 State of ER & Specialty Report
📉 The highest turnover was among veterinary technicians and nurses, with nearly 80% of hospitals in our survey reporting technician turnover in 2024. That means hospitals are constantly short-staffed, forcing remaining team members to take on even more—fueling stress, burnout, and more resignations.
💰 One-third of technicians carry student loan debt, averaging $29,700 per person. When salaries don’t keep pace with living costs and financial pressures, many have no choice but to seek better-paying jobs—sometimes outside the profession altogether.
📊 In 2024, only 25% of veterinary professionals saw base salary increases (down from 39% in 2023). Meanwhile, concerns about insufficient compensation jumped from 27% to 35%. As inflation rises, stagnant wages push even dedicated employees to reconsider their long-term future in the field.
📈 While full-time veterinarian and practice owner salaries grew by 13.5% and 15.9%, respectively, practice manager salaries declined by 11.8%, widening pay gaps within leadership and across roles. When compensation disparities grow, so do frustration and disengagement.
Retaining veterinary staff isn’t just about preventing burnout—it’s about ensuring fair pay across the organization.
Download the State of Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Care in 2024 Report to take a deep dive into veterinary compensation trends, specialty and ER veterinary salaries, and proven strategies for retaining veterinary staff.
Download here
How to Make Fair Pay a Priority in Vet Practices
In our 2024 State of ER & Specialty report, 40% of veterinary professionals said higher wages and better benefits are crucial to keeping up with the demands of their roles. As one respondent put it:
“We have food-insecure employees—pay them more! That will enhance team morale and mental well-being.”
Financial worries impact paychecks, but they also drain focus and motivation, making it even harder to retain veterinary staff. Veterinary pay equity is about more than retention; it’s about respect, stability, and making this profession sustainable.
So, what can hospitals do to support their teams?
1. Ensure fair pay for every role.
Every member of the veterinary team plays a vital role, yet their salaries don’t always reflect their importance. When pay is uneven, it sends the message—intentional or not—that some roles are more valuable than others.
Regularly assessing and adjusting compensation keeps salaries fair and ensures all team members feel appreciated.
2. Stay competitive with industry benchmarks.
Competitive pay isn’t one-size-fits-all. It varies by region and specialty, so staying informed about industry standards is crucial. Industry reports—like our 2024 State of ER & Specialty report and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—offer valuable insights into veterinary compensation trends and can help hospitals evaluate their position.
Without competitive specialty and ER veterinary salaries, even the best workplace culture won’t keep great employees from seeking opportunities elsewhere.
3. Focus on benefits, mentorship, and growth.
Competitive pay can attract great people, but long-term retention also requires growth, support, and opportunity. To keep your team engaged and invested, consider offering:
- Regular raises that recognize team members’ experience and dedication
- Performance bonuses that reward extra effort and achievements
- Mentorship programs that foster career development and leadership skills
- Professional development opportunities to help employees grow and advance
These aren’t just extras—they’re crucial for keeping great people around. When veterinary team members have the opportunity to grow, they’re far more likely to stay, thrive, and help the hospital succeed.
4. Prioritize fair pay for technicians and support staff.
Technicians and nurses are the heart of ER and specialty hospitals. They manage critical patients, support veterinarians, and keep everything running smoothly. Yet, they’re often overlooked when it comes to pay.
Without competitive salaries and solid benefits, burnout isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. And when that happens, hospitals lose talented professionals to better-paying jobs—or worse, to entirely different careers.
Offering fair compensation and benefits, like more paid time off and sick leave, mental health days, and better medical insurance, shows team members that they’re valued and supported.
The Future of ER and Specialty Care Depends on Fair Pay
Here’s the bottom line: When veterinary team members feel valued—financially and emotionally—they stick around. And when they stay, hospitals run more smoothly, teams work together more effectively, and patient care thrives.
Fair compensation is an investment in your team and the future of your hospital. It creates a hospital culture where veterinary team members feel valued, see long-term potential, and know their hard work is recognized with the pay and support they deserve.
About Instinct Science
We’re a team of veterinary professionals and technology experts on a mission to make life easier for the exceptional people caring for animals around the world. From medical-first practice management tools to clinical resources like Standards of Care, Plumb’s, and Clinician's Brief, we’re here to support you with everything you need to deliver exceptional care with less stress and more confidence.