Associate Veterinarian | Mentorship Opportunities
Listed compensation
$110k-$140k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Company Description
Full Time Associate Veterinarian | Signing Bonus up to $100K | $110,000 Starting Salary | Mentorship Opportunities
You’re a Veterinarian looking for medical autonomy, collaborative colleagues, and tools that support your clinical decisions. At Lakeside Spears Animal Hospital, join a three-doctor team in a full-time daytime role with mentorship opportunities and a signing bonus up to $100,000. A DVM or equivalent and an active veterinary state license are required. Experienced veterinarians and new graduates seeking mentorship are encouraged to apply.
Who We Are
Lakeside Spears Animal Hospital is a well-established veterinary hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, providing wellness care, urgent care, surgery, dentistry, and diagnostic services. Our approach to veterinary medicine centers on compassion, integrity, service, and strong connections with pets and their families.
Our team values collaboration and a culture where colleagues care about one another and the community. The hospital partners with nearby humane societies and participates in local events.
Our veterinary diagnostic resources include CT, ultrasound, X-ray, and in-house laboratory testing, including chemistry, hematology, and blood gases.
Learn More About Our Hospital!
Job Description
As an Associate Veterinarian, you will:
- Practice general veterinary medicine and surgery across a diverse caseload.
- Use the hospital’s imaging and laboratory resources to support clinical decisions.
- Work alongside fellow DVMs and a collaborative hospital team.
- Communicate compassionately with clients about their pets’ care.
- Exercise medical autonomy while contributing to the hospital’s commitment to quality care.
This daytime position is suited to a Veterinarian who values teamwork, communicates clearly, and is proficient in general medicine and surgery. Experience is preferred; new graduates seeking mentorship are encouraged to apply.
What We Offer Veterinarians
- Published annual salary range: S110,000–S140,000; advertised starting salary: S110,000.
- Signing bonus up to S100,000.
- Relocation assistance and student loan aid.
- Medical autonomy and flexible scheduling.
- DVM Mentor Network for continued professional development.
- Paid continuing education allowance and professional dues.
- Paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
- 401K and pet care discounts.
- Support from a network named one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces 2025.
Life in Carbondale, Illinois
Build your veterinary career in a community offering outdoor activities, local festivals, a college-town atmosphere, and close community connections. Carbondale combines small-town character with opportunities to explore new interests outside work.
Located at 2001 Sweets Dr, the hospital is approximately two hours from St. Louis, three hours from Nashville, and three and a half hours from Louisville.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, or equivalent, from an accredited university
- Current DEA License or obtained upon hire
- Active Veterinary State License
- USDA Accreditation or obtained upon hire
Additional Information
Total compensation is individualized based on experience, schedule (full-time or part-time), location, and production. Compensation may include base salary, production incentives, sign-on bonus, relocation assistance, and other applicable benefits and incentives. Total compensation package for the first year might range from $110,000-$180,000+.
We Are a DRUG-Free & Equal Opportunity Employer.
Company Policy Forbids Discrimination Because of Age, Color, Race, Religion, Sex, Disability, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or National Origin
For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit allianceanimal.com.
Compensation: USD 110000 - USD 140000 - yearly
Key Responsibilities
The Associate Veterinarian will practice general medicine and surgery while utilizing hospital imaging and laboratory resources to support clinical decisions. They will also communicate compassionately with clients and collaborate with a team of fellow DVMs.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$125k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $125k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 47 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 89% have no call, 77% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $110k–$140k | Veterinary Medicine median $135k (middle half $123k–$170k)16 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$125k in purchasing power | Illinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in Illinois | 157 active | 3,101 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 89% no call · 77% no weekends47 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | $100k sign-on · loan repayment | Illinois healthcare professional listings: 38% state a sign-on bonus (median $50k) · 14% offer loan repayment209 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 962 in the last 30 days | 517 the 30 days before (+86%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +3.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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