Ameri Vet logo
Ameri Vet
La Mesa, California

Associate Veterinarian

VeterinarianIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$150K - $175K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

The Pet Hospital of La Mesa is hiring a full time DVM. At La Mesa, we pride ourselves on offering complete autonomy in your medicine. We believe in our veterinarian's ability and education, therefore do not feel it necessary to dictate medicine. We provide the tools; you provide the knowledge.

Our hospital is equipped with digital x-ray, inhouse labs, diagnostic ultrasound, dental x-ray, surgical laser, and much more. In addition, we encourage our doctors to stay up to date on progressions in medicine. We offer generous CE stipends to promote growth and learning within our clinic.

Teamwork is important to us, which is why you will have complete access to our growing network of licensed professionals through our online community and round table discussions. In clinic, we have a very close-knit and extremely welcoming team.

Clinic Snapshot

  • Small Animal General Practice, primarily with cats and dogs with focus on wellness and preventative medicine.
  • Practice type: GP
  • Avg. daily patient volume: [16 /day]
  • Support staff ratio: [2: 1]
  • Case mix: Wellness, surgery, dentistry
  • Technology & equipment: Digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house labs, digital dental x-ray
  • Team culture: Collaborative, team approach, highly skilled support staff
  • Total Rewards & How We Invest in You
  • We believe great doctors deserve great rewards.

[$150k - $175k] annual salary + production bonus

  • DVM Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Cash Program — earn annual bonuses based on your production
  • No negative accrual: We reward performance without penalizing you during slower periods
  • Transparent production metrics and operational support to maximize earnings
  • Generous CE allowance + paid licenses and professional dues
  • Referral bonus program: Bring great talent to our network & get rewarded
  • Flexible scheduling, strong work-life balance, and mentorship programs
  • Relocation assistance and sign on bonuses available
  • 401k retirement savings plan with company match

What Makes Us Different

  • Medical autonomy: Practice exceptional medicine and surgery with the full support of our medical systems and team.
  • Robust support: Skilled techs, dedicated CSRs, and strong leadership presence.
  • We believe thriving teams build thriving communities
  • You’ll have the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow your career
  • Who You Are & How You’ll Make a Difference

You are a veterinarian who is:

  • Passionate about patient care and long-term client relationships
  • A collaborative teammate who thrives in a positive, supportive culture
  • Committed to continuous growth and excellence
  • Surgical Skills needed

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent degree from an accredited university (required)
  • Compassionate, client-centered approach to care
  • Strong communication and client-education skills

Location

Situated in San Diego County, La Mesa enjoys proximity to both urban amenities and natural attractions, with easy access to beaches, parks, and hiking trails while still being close to downtown San Diego. La Mesa maintains a small-town feel with a close-knit community atmosphere.

Its quaint downtown area features historic architecture, local businesses, and community events that foster a sense of belonging. The city is served by highly rated public schools and offers access to quality education. Additionally, there are nearby colleges and universities providing higher education opportunities.

Apply

Tired of the application process? Email your resume directly to: Stacey.Clark@amerivet.com

At AmeriVet, we’re committed to your growth, development, well-being, and success. We empower team members with the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers and make a lasting impact in our communities.

  • Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:
  • Tailored development programs, mentorship, and career pathing to help you achieve your unique goals.
  • Competitive pay, performance bonuses, 401(k) matching, and student loan assistance to foster your financial well-being.
  • Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and mental health resources to support your overall well-being.
  • Generous paid time off and holidays, because your personal time matters.
  • A supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
  • Please note: Any Benefits listed above apply to full-time employees.

At AmeriVet, your unique skills and passion are celebrated, and every team member has the tools to thrive. Our people-focused approach is centered on helping you grow in your career while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Veterinarian will provide high-quality medical and surgical care for small animals, focusing on wellness and preventative medicine. The role involves collaborating with a skilled support team to maintain excellent patient outcomes and long-term client relationships.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Wellness examsDigital radiographyClient communication

Veterinary Medicine Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$163k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $147k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 78% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

What does the Veterinary Medicine market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$150k–$175kVeterinary Medicine median $162k (middle half $145k–$182k)65 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$147k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Veterinary Medicine listings in California239 active3,407 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 78% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentsign-on bonusCalifornia healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 43% state a sign-on bonus (median $38k) · 18% offer loan repayment324 active listings, Nov 2026
New Veterinary Medicine listings1,234 in the last 30 days503 the 30 days before (+145%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Veterinary Medicine pay trend+3.7% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

28 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

28 jobs · 17 employers
4
<$140k
3
$140k-160k
8
$160k-180k
4
$180k-200k
9
$200k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

27 jobs · 17 employers
Sign-on bonus
93% this job
401k / retirement match
93% this job
CME allowance
89% this job
Relocation assistance
78% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Associate Veterinarian

Companion Pet Partners · Santa Cruz, California

$160k-$210k
#2

Veterinarian - Madera, CA

Vet Cor · Madera, California

$150k-$200k
#3

Feline Veterinarian - Chico, CA

$150k-$200k
#4

Veterinarian - Merced, CA

$170k-$200k
+ 26 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.7this job 2.1
Better work-life than 10% of Veterinary Medicine listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,392 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
Ameri Vet logo

About Ameri Vet

Veterinary Services
San Antonio, Texas
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Production bonus
Long-Term Incentive Cash Program
CE allowance
Paid licenses and professional dues
Referral bonus program
Flexible scheduling
Mentorship programs
Relocation assistance

Living in La Mesa

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$888k≈ 5.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,627/mo≈ 21% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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