Associate Veterinarian – General Practice
Listed compensation
$120k-$180k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Associate Veterinarian – General Practice
- Antelope Valley, California
- $120,000–$180,000 | Full-Time
Looking for a general practice where you can practice quality medicine, have support around you, and still have room to grow?
DVM Focus is recruiting an Associate Veterinarian for a small animal practice in Southern California’s Antelope Valley. This is a collaborative, team-oriented environment with an experienced support staff and a broad general practice caseload.
This opportunity offers flexibility, medical autonomy, and room to continue developing your skills and clinical interests.
What You’ll Do
You’ll Provide Comprehensive Small Animal Care, Including
- General medicine and preventive care
- Diagnostic workups and case management
- Routine surgery
- Dentistry
Client Education and Communication
- You’ll have the ability to practice with medical autonomy while working alongside an experienced veterinary support team.
- What They’re Looking For
- DVM or equivalent veterinary degree from an accredited university
- Active California veterinary license or ability to obtain one
- Proficiency in general medicine, surgery, and dentistry
Strong Communication and Teamwork Skills
DEA licensure and USDA accreditation are preferred but are not required at the time of application.
Compensation & Benefits
Base compensation: $120,000–$180,000, depending on experience, qualifications, schedule, and compensation structure.
The overall package may also include:
- Sign-on bonus
- Relocation assistance
- Student loan support
- Flexible scheduling
- Medical autonomy
- Paid time off
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k)
- Liability coverage
- Continuing education allowance
- Professional dues
- DVM mentorship and professional development
- Employee assistance resources
- Pet care discounts
- Potential future ownership opportunities
Why This One Is Worth a Conversation
The draw here is the combination of a broad GP caseload, experienced support, flexibility, and the ability to continue growing clinically without being boxed into one style of medicine.
DVM Focus will walk you through the opportunity, answer your questions, and help determine whether the practice lines up with what you actually want before an introduction is made.
About DVM Focus
DVM Focus provides confidential, consultative career search and placement support for veterinary professionals. Our services are free to DVM candidates.
We work directly with veterinary practices and organizations nationwide to identify opportunities based on your individual priorities, goals, and career direction.
To protect the confidentiality of our client relationships, identifying practice information may be shared with qualified candidates after an initial conversation with DVM Focus.
Your career. Your priorities. Your search.
If this sounds like it could be a fit — or even close to what you’re looking for — connect with DVM Focus. We represent veterinary opportunities nationwide, and your search doesn’t have to be limited to the positions you happen to see posted.
Tell us what matters to you, and we’ll help you explore the opportunities that align with it.
Don’t see what you want here? We can search anywhere in the United States — tell us what you’re looking for.
Don’t see what you want here? We can search anywhere in the United States — tell us what you’re looking for.
About DVM Focus
DVM Focus provides confidential, consultative career search and placement support for veterinary professionals. Our services are free to DVM candidates. We work directly with veterinary practices and organizations nationwide to identify opportunities based on your individual priorities, goals, and career direction.
To protect the confidentiality of our client relationships, identifying practice information may be shared with qualified candidates after an initial conversation with DVM Focus.
Your career. Your priorities. Your search.
If this sounds like it could be a fit — or even close to what you’re looking for — connect with DVM Focus. We represent veterinary opportunities nationwide, and your search doesn’t have to be limited to the positions you happen to see posted. Tell us what matters to you, and we’ll help you explore the opportunities that align with it.
Key Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive small animal care including general medicine, preventive care, and diagnostic workups. Perform routine surgeries and dentistry while maintaining effective client communication.
Requirements
Must hold a DVM or equivalent veterinary degree from an accredited university. Candidates must possess or be able to obtain an active California veterinary license.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Certifications
General Practice Career Context
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$150k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $136k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 47 active General Practice listings this role was benchmarked against, 74% have no call, 49% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $120k–$180k | General Practice median $162k (middle half $145k–$183k)60 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$136k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| General Practice listings in California | 11 active | 155 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 74% no call · 49% no weekends47 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus · loan repayment | California healthcare professional listings: 37% state a sign-on bonus (median $38k) · 13% offer loan repayment379 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New General Practice listings | 58 in the last 30 days | 76 the 30 days before (−24%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
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