Lakefield Veterinary Group logo
Lakefield Veterinary Group
Tacoma, Washington

Surgery and Dentistry Focused Associate Veterinarian - PawDoc Urgent Care + Surgery Dental Center

VeterinarianIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$120K - $150K

Listing transparency3 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Includes call
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

  Opening January 2027!!! PawDoc Urgent Care and Surgery Dental Center is opening a brand-new center in Tacoma, Washington! We are looking for a Veterinarian to perform S urgical and Dental procedures. At PawDoc, we believe that every pet deserves access to essential and affordable surgical and dental care. We’re building a service designed to remove barriers for families in our community, offering affordable procedures that keep pets healthy and thriving. This role is dedicated exclusively to surgery and dentistry, giving veterinarians the chance to focus on their craft while making a meaningful impact. This position is ideal for: Veterinarians passionate about service who want their skills to directly improve access to care. Veterinarians who enjoy hands-on procedures and want to focus solely on surgery and dentistry. We’re not just building a hospital, we’re building a movement toward sustainable, compassionate care. Our leadership is committed to an employee-first culture where every team member is valued, supported, and empowered. We are looking to build a team of kind, capable professionals who show up for each other and our clients. Collaboration replaces hierarchy, mentorship comes without micromanagement, and every team member matters. Most importantly, you’ll know your work is helping pets who might otherwise go without care. At PawDoc, we are reimagining veterinary care to be more accessible, transparent, and stress-free for every pet family. By combining high-quality medicine with a concierge-style experience, we strive to make it easier for pet parents to get the care their pets need, without the anxiety or uncertainty. Our client-centric approach is designed around convenience and connection. From pre-visit digital onboarding to real-time SMS updates, we keep pet owners informed and engaged every step of the way. Our reception-less, open lobby ensures every client and pet is personally welcomed, while our team takes time to sit down with clients, review care plans, build trust, and take care of pets. Every detail, from warm greetings to thoughtful pick-up experiences is intentional. We’re not just providing veterinary services, we’re creating a personalized partnership in care that puts the human-animal bond at the center of everything we do.

Compensation & Benefits Competitive starting between $120,000 - 150,000 Sign-on or relocation bonus available No non-compete Paid parental leave Generous PTO 401(k) with employer match Health, dental, and vision insurance HSA with company contribution Employee discounts and much more!   To learn more about the position please contact:  Emily Brechner at ebrechner@lakefieldvet.com     ABOUT LAKEFIELD VETERINARY GROUP   We believe exceptional veterinary care starts with exceptional people.     We partner with hospitals across the country to preserve what makes each practice special - its people, culture, and connection to community - while providing the operational support  and resources  that allow teams to thrive.     As we grow, we are committed to creating an environment where team members feel respected, supported, and empowered to deliver outstanding care.     Our Values   Our culture is built on five core values that guide how we work  and serve:   Respect   Learning   Do the  Right  Thing   Wow  Service   Fun   If these resonate with you,  you’ll  fit right in.     Equal Employment Opportunity   Lakefield Veterinary Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members and applicants.   #LI-JR1

Key Responsibilities

The veterinarian will perform surgical and dental procedures exclusively at the new PawDoc center. They will also engage with clients to review care plans and build trust to ensure a positive, concierge-style experience.

Requirements

The candidate must be a veterinarian passionate about service and hands-on surgical and dental work. They should be a kind, capable professional who values collaboration and is committed to providing accessible care.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Veterinary surgeryVeterinary dentistrySurgical proceduresPatient careClient communicationCare planningTeam collaborationClinical medicine

Surgery Career Context

Of the 40 active Surgery listings this role was benchmarked against, 70% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$135k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $126k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$135k midpoint, that is roughly $5k–$9k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

30 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution20 jobs

4
<$140k
10
$140k-155k
1
$160k
3
$170k-185k
2
$185k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks20 jobs

CME allowance
90%
401k / retirement match
90%
Sign-on bonus
85% this job
Relocation assistance
50% this job
Loan repayment
15%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Veterinarian, Partner & Equity Owner

Alliance Animal Health · Bremerton, Washington

$120k-$220k
#2

Veterinarian - Gloversville, NY

Glove Cities Veterinary Hospital · Gloversville, New York

$130k-$185k
#3

Associate Veterinarian – General Practice & Urgent Care

$120k-$175k
#4

Veterinarian - San Jose, CA

$150k-$170k
+ 28 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score
  • Includes call

Living in Tacoma

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$488k
Typical market rent
$1,740/mo
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Lakefield Veterinary Group logo

About Lakefield Veterinary Group

Veterinary Services
Kent, Washington
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Sign-on or relocation bonus
No non-compete
Paid parental leave
Generous PTO
401(k) with employer match
Health, dental, and vision insurance
HSA with company contribution
Employee discounts