Alliance Animal Health logo
Alliance Animal Health
Carbondale, Illinois

Associate Veterinarian | Mentorship Opportunities

VeterinarianFull-Time

Listed compensation

$110k-$180k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 56m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Company Description

Full Time Associate Veterinarian | Signing Bonus up to $100K | $110,000 Starting Salary | Mentorship Opportunities

Lakeside Spears Animal Hospital, a well-established 3-doctor practice in Carbondale, IL, is seeking a dedicated Associate Veterinarian to join our mission-driven team. We offer comprehensive hospital care, surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, radiology, ultrasonography, and CT.

Our practice is committed to integrity, service, and excellence, providing the highest level of care through advanced, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. With access to the latest technology, you’ll have everything you need to handle a variety of emergency cases with confidence.

  • CT Machine, Ultrasound, and X-ray – Advanced imaging for accurate, timely diagnostics.
  • In-House Labs – Chemistry and hematology analyzer, blood gases, and more to support quick decision-making.
  • Learn More About Our Hospital!

Carbondale, Illinois offers an ideal setting for a healthy work-life balance, featuring excellent schools and abundant outdoor activities. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or someone who enjoys a tight-knit community, Carbondale provides the perfect balance between rural charm and city convenience.

  • 2 hours from St. Louis, MO
  • 3 hours from Nashville, TN
  • 3.5 hours from Louisville, KY

Job Description

Position Overview

As a General Practice Veterinarian at Lakeside Veterinary Hospital, you will have the opportunity to handle a diverse caseload and work side-by-side with a compassionate team of professionals. We empower our DVMs to practice medicine in a way that aligns with their individual styles, ensuring that you can serve our clients and their pets to the best of your abilities.

We value our team and are looking for a veterinarian who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of animals and their owners. If you're a skilled DVM looking for a place to grow professionally in a supportive and collaborative environment, Lakeside Veterinary Hospital is the ideal place for you!

We're Looking For

  • Full-Time Veterinarian for day shifts
  • Compassionate, team-oriented, and strong communicator

Proficient in General Medicine and Surgery

Experience preferred, but new graduates seeking mentorship are encouraged to apply!

What We Offer

  • SIGNING BONUS UP TO $100,000!
  • Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities and state-of-the-art equipment including CT, radiology, ultrasonography, and more
  • Medical Autonomy to practice medicine your way
  • Flexible Scheduling to ensure a great work-life balance
  • Full Benefits including PTO, health/dental/vision/life insurance, 401K, and pet care discounts
  • Competitive Compensation
  • DVM Mentor Network for continuous professional development
  • Paid Continuing Education (CE) Allowance & Professional Dues
  • Generous Sign-On Bonus, Relocation Assistance, and Student Loan Aid
  • A Network of Support: Backed by a powerful network named one of Inc.'s Best Workplaces 2025!

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: from USD 110000 - yearly

Key Responsibilities

Provide general veterinary care and manage a diverse caseload, including medicine and surgery, while working collaboratively with the hospital team. Use advanced diagnostic equipment and exercise medical autonomy to deliver care tailored to patients and clients.

Key Skills

General Veterinary MedicineVeterinary SurgeryDiagnostic ImagingComputed TomographyEmergency Case ManagementLaboratory DiagnosticsClient CommunicationTeamworkCompassionate CareMedical Decision-Making

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 ~$145k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $145k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 80% have no call, 63% require no weekends.

What does the Veterinary Medicine market look like in Illinois?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$110k–$180kVeterinary Medicine median $138k (middle half $128k–$150k)17 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$145k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Veterinary Medicine listings in Illinois156 active3,077 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 3% remote · 80% no call · 63% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

23 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

13 jobs · 11 employers
3
<$125k
4
$125k-150k
2
$150k-175k
2
$180k
2
$200k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

13 jobs · 11 employers
401k / retirement match
92% this job
CME allowance
85% this job
Sign-on bonus
69% this job
Relocation assistance
46% this job
Loan repayment
23% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Associate Veterinarian

Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic · Elgin, Illinois

$125k-$250k
#2

Veterinarian

Sploot Veterinary Care · Forest Park, Illinois

$130k-$200k
#3

Veterinarian

$160k-$180k
#4

Veterinarian

$160k-$180k
+ 21 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.7this job 2.8
Better work-life than 20% of Veterinary Medicine listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,033 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Alliance Animal Health logo

About Alliance Animal Health

Veterinary Services
Rye Brook, New York
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Signing bonus up to $100,000
Flexible scheduling
Full benefits including PTO, health/dental/vision/life insurance
401K
Pet care discounts
Paid Continuing Education (CE) Allowance & Professional Dues
Relocation assistance
Student loan aid

Living in Carbondale

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$159k≈ 1.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$675/mo≈ 7% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
16 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.