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DVM Focus
Los Angeles, California

Associate Veterinarian – General Practice

VeterinarianFull-Time

Listed compensation

$120k-$160k

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

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

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 56m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Associate Veterinarian – General Practice
  • Los Angeles Metro, California
  • $120,000–$160,000 | Full-Time

Looking for a general practice opportunity where you can practice quality medicine, build lasting client relationships, and continue growing professionally?

DVM Focus is recruiting an Associate Veterinarian for an established small animal practice in the Los Angeles metro area. This is a busy, collaborative environment with a broad general practice caseload and a supportive veterinary team.

The opportunity can work well for an experienced veterinarian or a newer DVM looking for continued mentorship and professional development.

What You’ll Do

You’ll provide comprehensive small animal care, including

  • Wellness and preventive medicine
  • General medical care
  • Diagnostic workups and case management
  • Routine surgery
  • Dentistry
  • Same-day sick visits
  • Client education and communication
  • Collaboration with veterinarians and support staff

You’ll have the opportunity to continue developing your clinical interests while maintaining medical autonomy within a team-oriented environment.

  • What They’re Looking For
  • DVM, VMD, or equivalent veterinary degree
  • Active California veterinary license or ability to obtain one
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills
  • Interest or proficiency in general medicine and surgery
  • Commitment to compassionate, high-quality patient care
  • Desire for continued professional development
  • DEA licensure and USDA accreditation should be active or obtainable after hire.

Compensation & Benefits

Base compensation: $120,000–$160,000, depending on experience, qualifications, schedule, and compensation structure.

The overall package may also include

  • Sign-on bonus
  • Relocation assistance
  • Student loan assistance
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Medical autonomy
  • Paid time off
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401(k)
  • Continuing education allowance
  • Professional dues and licensing support
  • DVM mentorship and professional development
  • Professional liability coverage
  • Employee assistance resources
  • Pet care discounts
  • Potential future ownership opportunities
  • Why This One Is Worth a Conversation

This opportunity combines the variety of a busy small animal practice with flexibility, clinical autonomy, and room for continued professional growth.

Whether you’re building confidence early in your career or bringing established GP experience, there is room to develop your interests while working alongside a collaborative veterinary team.

DVM Focus will walk you through the practice, schedule, compensation structure, team, and expectations before an introduction is made so you can decide whether the opportunity actually aligns with what you want.

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.

DVM Focus Reference ID: DF-7324

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

The Associate Veterinarian will provide comprehensive small animal care, including wellness exams, diagnostic workups, and routine surgeries. They will also manage client communication and collaborate with the veterinary team to ensure high-quality patient care.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a DVM, VMD, or equivalent veterinary degree and possess an active California veterinary license. Strong communication skills and a commitment to compassionate, high-quality patient care are essential for this role.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Wellness medicine

General Practice Career Context

DVM Focus ranks #8 of 11 employers hiring Veterinarian on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active General Practice listings this role was benchmarked against, 74% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$140k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $126k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Veterinarian Jobs

19 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution19 jobs · 17 employers

6
<$150k
5
$150k-180k
5
$180k-210k
1
$220k
2
$240k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks19 jobs · 17 employers

Sign-on bonus
95% this job
CME allowance
95% this job
401k / retirement match
95% this job
Relocation assistance
68% this job
Loan repayment
11% this job

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+ 17 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in Los Angeles

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$923k
Typical market rent
$2,778/mo
Residents’ average commute
31 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

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About DVM Focus

Staffing and Recruiting
Spokane, WA

Benefits & Perks

Sign-on bonus
Relocation assistance
Student loan assistance
Flexible scheduling
Medical autonomy
Paid time off
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k)