A board-certified veterinarian who diagnoses and treats behavior problems in animals, such as aggression, anxiety and compulsive disorders, using medicine and behavior modification. BLS does not publish separate figures for veterinarians; it counts them within veterinarian (SOC 29-1131), whose median pay is $130,100 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 29-1131
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Veterinary Behaviorist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $130,100a year, or $62.55/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $74KTop 10% $216K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +9.4%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+9.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +9.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,10091,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202591.1K
- Projected 203599.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 91.1K Projected 2035 99.6K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Professional degree9.1%
- Doctorate79.2%
- Post-doctoral training11.7%
Highest education held by veterinarians Segment Value Professional degree 9.1% Doctorate 79.2% Post-doctoral training 11.7%
Also advertised as: Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, Diplomate ACVB, Veterinary Behavior Specialist, Animal Behavior Veterinarian.
Pay
How much do Veterinarians make?
Every veterinary behaviorist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$130,100
Middle half earn $101,460 to $166,120
- 10th
- $73,920
- 25th
- $101,460
- 75th
- $166,120
- 90th
- $215,700
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $73,920 |
| 25th | $101,460 |
| Median | $130,100 |
| 75th | $166,120 |
| 90th | $215,700 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $130,100
- Median hourly wage
- $62.55/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $142,680
- People employed
- 83,900
Versus all US occupations
At $130,100, Veterinarians earn 155% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $79,120 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 27% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $215,700 or more while the bottom 10% earn $73,920, a gap of 2.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 87% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($163,920), but once local prices are taken into account Maryland leads at $155,461 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Veterinarians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $163,920 | $148,049 | 9,170 |
| 2Maryland | $163,170 | $155,461 | 1,430 |
| 3Washington | $160,510 | $149,991 | 2,390 |
| 4New Jersey | $160,140 | $147,181 | 1,910 |
| 5Arizona | $152,020 | $150,998 | 2,080 |
| 6Massachusetts | $140,260 | $132,625 | 1,920 |
| 7District of Columbia | $134,530 | $122,410 | 190 |
| 8Illinois | $133,580 | $133,636 | 2,330 |
| 9Pennsylvania | $133,520 | $136,843 | 3,490 |
| 10Minnesota | $133,110 | $134,971 | 2,140 |
Job outlook
Is Veterinary Behaviorist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +9.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Veterinarians | +9.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Veterinarians to change 9.4% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.7× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 8,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,100 openings are projected each year, 3.4% of the 91,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Veterinary Behaviorist
Candidates complete a DVM or VMD at an AVMA-accredited college and obtain a state license. They then complete a residency in clinical behavioral medicine approved by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB), typically about three years, at a university or with an approved mentor in practice.
Residents must handle a required caseload, write case reports, publish research, and pass the ACVB certifying examination. Many first spend time in general practice, where behavior cases are common, and take continuing education through groups such as the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior before applying.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as veterinarians.
- Doctoral Degree79.2%
- Post-Doctoral Training11.7%
- First Professional Degree9.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 79.2% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 11.7% |
| First Professional Degree | 9.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Veterinary Behaviorist do?
Veterinary behaviorists treat behavior as a medical issue. They see dogs that bite, cats that stop using the litter box, parrots that pluck their feathers, and horses with stereotypic habits. Appointments are long: they take detailed histories, watch videos of the behavior, rule out pain or disease that could be driving it, and observe the animal and family together.
Treatment plans combine behavior modification, changes to the home environment, safety management, and, where appropriate, psychoactive medication that only a veterinarian can prescribe. Behaviorists follow up over months, adjusting medications and coaching owners and trainers. They also consult with shelters, zoos and laboratories on welfare and enrichment, and some act as expert witnesses in dangerous dog cases.
Day-to-day tasks
- Conduct extended behavior consultations with animals and owners
- Rule out medical causes such as pain, endocrine or neurologic disease
- Diagnose anxiety, aggression, phobias and compulsive disorders
- Prescribe and adjust psychoactive medications
- Design behavior modification and home management plans
- Coordinate with trainers who carry out behavior plans
- Advise shelters and zoos on enrichment and welfare
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Veterinary behaviorists work in referral hospitals, university teaching hospitals and independent behavior practices, and some offer house calls or telemedicine follow-ups. Appointments are calm and conversational, though handling fearful or aggressive animals requires care. Schedules are mostly weekday appointments with substantial time spent writing treatment plans and talking with clients.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.1
- Active Learning4.0
- Speaking3.9
- Science3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Writing3.5
- Monitoring3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Service Orientation3.4
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Instructing3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Internet browser software
- Medical software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Veterinary Behaviorist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code ISR) built on O*NET's Veterinarian profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Veterinary Behaviorist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.0
- Realistic6.0
- Social4.0
- Conventional3.5
- Enterprising1.7
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Veterinary Behaviorist
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Support
Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker
$38,150median a year
Most earn $30K to $49K
+9.1%High school - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with veterinarians highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Veterinary Behaviorist$130,100
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Veterinary Behaviorist | $130,100 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Veterinary Behaviorist appears on
Questions
Veterinary Behaviorist: frequently asked questions
How much do Veterinarians make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for veterinarians. It counts them within veterinarian, whose median pay is $130,100 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $101,460 and $166,120, and the top 10% earn $215,700 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Veterinary Behaviorist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Veterinarians. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 79.2% hold doctoral degree.
Is Veterinary Behaviorist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.4% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Veterinary Behaviorist do?
Veterinary behaviorists treat behavior as a medical issue. A typical task: conduct extended behavior consultations with animals and owners. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Veterinarians the most?
The highest state medians for Veterinarians are California ($163,920), Maryland ($163,170), Washington ($160,510) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Maryland moves to the top at $155,461.
What personality type suits a Veterinary Behaviorist?
O*NET scores Veterinarians highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Social interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.