Associate Veterinarian - Animal Care Center
Listed compensation
$120k-$140k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and nights and shift pattern.
Job Description
- Associate Veterinarian | Baxter, MN (Brainerd Lakes Area)
- Up to $140,000 Base Salary with No Negative Accrual + $50,000 Sign-On/Relocation Bonus
- No Regular Weekends | Monday-Friday Schedule | Full & Part-Time Available
Love veterinary medicine. Love where you live, too.
Animal Care Center is seeking an Associate Veterinarian to join our established three-doctor small animal practice in beautiful Baxter, Minnesota.
Whether you're an experienced DVM looking for a long-term home or a new graduate seeking exceptional mentorship, you'll find a collaborative team, experienced support staff, loyal clients, and a culture that truly values its people.
With a predictable Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM schedule, you'll have the time to enjoy everything the Brainerd Lakes Area has to offer, from boating and fishing to hiking, golf, snowmobiling, and skiing.
Why Veterinarians Choose Animal Care Center
Supportive Team Environment
Our high technician-to-doctor ratio and long-tenured support staff allow our veterinarians to focus on practicing great medicine. Many team members have been with us for 5, 10, and even 20+ years.
Collaborative Culture
You'll work alongside experienced doctors who genuinely enjoy helping each other. Challenging cases are approached as a team, not alone.
Meaningful Mentorship
New graduates receive hands-on mentorship and guidance to build confidence and clinical skills. Experienced veterinarians will find opportunities for continued growth and development.
- Loyal, Engaged Clients
- Build lasting relationships with pet owners who trust your recommendations and value quality veterinary care.
- Work-Life Balance
- Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM
- No regular weekends
- Full-time and part-time opportunities available
Compensation & Benefits
- Up to $140,000 base salary
- $50,000 sign-on/relocation bonus
- Production bonuses with no negative accrual
Benefits
- Up to 5 weeks PTO
- $2,500 CE allowance plus CE PTO
- 401(k) with company match
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-funded HSA contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Employer-paid life, STD, and LTD insurance
- AVMA membership and PLIT coverage
- Employee pet discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Additional voluntary benefit options
- Fun team events!
- Why Baxter & the Brainerd Lakes Area?
Imagine finishing work at 5 PM and heading straight to the lake, golf course, hiking trail, or snowmobile trail. The Brainerd Lakes Area offers an exceptional quality of life, affordable living, outdoor recreation, and a welcoming community where you can build both a successful veterinary career and a fulfilling personal life.
Ready to Find Your Veterinary Home?
If you're looking for experienced teammates, strong mentorship, quality medicine, loyal clients, and a schedule that gives you your evenings and weekends back, we'd love to connect with you.
For more information or to apply, contact Megan Cross, Talent Acquisition Partner, at megan.cross@lakefieldvet.com or apply through careers.lakefieldvet.com.
Keywords: Veterinarian, Associate Veterinarian, DVM, Minnesota Veterinaria,
Compensation Range
$120,000—$140,000 USD
Key Responsibilities
The Associate Veterinarian will provide high-quality medical care to small animals within an established practice. They will collaborate with a supportive team of doctors and staff to manage cases and build lasting relationships with clients.
Requirements
The role is open to both experienced veterinarians and new graduates seeking mentorship. Candidates must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Minnesota.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Minnesota is 98.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$130k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $132k in an average-cost state. 63.4% of Minnesota clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 92% have no call, 74% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 5.4 / 10 · above average in veterinary | ranked against 4,519 Veterinary listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$132k in purchasing power | Minnesota index 98.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in Minnesota | 60 active | 3,097 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 92% no call · 74% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | $50k sign-on | US healthcare professional listings: 38% state a sign-on bonus (median $50k) · 14% offer loan repayment4,558 active listings, Oct 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +2.9% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
Top Veterinarian Jobs
7 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
7 jobsAnnual compensation range
Work-Life Balance Distribution
7 jobsHigher = better work-life balance
Veterinarian
Pure Paws Veterinary Care · New York, New York
Veterinarian
Veterinary Practice Partners · New York, New York
Veterinarian- Ojai CA
$130k-$160kVeterinarian- Los Angeles CA
$130k-$160kWork-life snapshot
Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,071 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.
- No weekends
About Animal Care Center
Benefits & Perks
Living in Baxter
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $354k≈ 2.9× annual pay
- Median resident rent
- $1,154/mo≈ 12% of gross pay
- Residents’ average commute
- 19 min
- State income tax
- Up to 9.8%
Sources & methodology
Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.
Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.