Heart + Paw logo
Heart + Paw
Ridgely, Maryland

Associate Veterinarian

VeterinarianFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Up to $100,000 Sign-on Bonus + No Non-Compete

Relocation Available

Are you passionate about delivering top-notch veterinary care to pets and their families? Do you excel in a supportive, growth-oriented environment that values collaboration, professional development, and personal fulfillment?

As part of the Heart + Paw family, you’ll benefit from the resources and guidance of our veterinary-led support team, passionate about helping you advance at every career stage.

Our veterinary center is ideal for veterinarians who prioritize client-centered care, value the human-animal bond, embrace low-stress handling techniques, and are committed to making a positive impact in their communities.

This is petcare reimagined®.

What Makes Our Center Unique

  • Veterinarian-Led Support: Receive ongoing mentorship and resources from our veterinarian-led team, ensuring the tools you need to thrive.
  • Career Freedom: With no non-compete requirement, you’re free to shape your career journey. Enjoy the autonomy to customize your practice style, schedule, and professional goals, with support from our leadership.
  • Collaborative, Positive Culture: Join a workplace that values teamwork, fosters personal and professional growth, and listens to your needs.
  • Leading-Edge Technology + Resources: Work with advanced tools and resources to deliver exceptional care and enhance your skills.
  • Competitive Compensation + Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and competitive salary designed to support you.

Key Responsibilities for the Associate Veterinarian

  • Practice high-quality veterinary medicine focused on client-centered, proactive preventive care.
  • Collaborate with the Partner Doctor and Heart + Paw leadership to achieve the clinic’s vision.
  • Champion the Heart + Paw brand and services, acting as a positive role model.
  • Maintain and operate all clinic equipment efficiently, contributing to a productive environment.
  • Support local marketing efforts and build meaningful connections within the community.
  • Adhere to veterinary laws, regulations, and Heart + Paw’s high-quality standards.

Qualifications

  • DVM or equivalent veterinary licensure, in good standing with the applicable state board.
  • 2+ years of clinical experience preferred though new graduates are encouraged to apply.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a client-focused approach to building a loyal client base.
  • Enthusiastic about leveraging technology to advance veterinary care and improve client/pet experiences.
  • Highly collaborative, adaptable, and ready to learn.
  • Fear Free or HABRI certification is a plus (or a willingness to achieve certification).

About Heart + Paw

Heart + Paw was founded on the belief that veterinary professionals deserve a workplace where they can thrive and be happy, healthy, and successful. We’re committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where all veterinarians can reach their full potential.

If you’re ready to excel in a role where your skills are appreciated, your career growth is supported, and your impact on pets and families is profound, we invite you to apply to join the Heart + Paw team. Start your rewarding career journey with us!

About Heart + PAW

Founded on the belief that veterinary professionals deserve a workplace where they can thrive and be happy, healthy, and successful, Heart + Paw

offers full-service veterinary centers that are reimagining pet care in every way, providing state-of-the-art care that today's pet parents expect. We’re committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where all team members can reach their full potential.

From routine wellness, dental care, radiology, and surgeries to grooming and daycare, all pets are treated with a low stress approach.

Heart + Paw incorporates advanced technologies, top-of-the-line amenities, equipment selected based on years of practice and research, and a fresh philosophy for pets, pet parents and our team. This is petcare reimagined®.

To learn more, visit Heart + Paw online at heartandpaw.com, or follow Heart + Paw on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Heart + Paw is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Veterinarian will practice high-quality veterinary medicine focused on client-centered, proactive preventive care and collaborate with the Partner Doctor and Heart + Paw leadership to achieve the clinic’s vision. They will also maintain clinic equipment efficiently and support local marketing efforts.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Communication SkillsTeam CollaborationTechnology UtilizationCommunity EngagementAdaptabilityFear Free Certification

Veterinary Medicine Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 84% have no call, 80% require no weekends.

What does the Veterinary Medicine market look like in Maryland?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.6 / 10 · above average in veterinary medicineranked against 3,095 Veterinary Medicine listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed paynot listedVeterinary Medicine median $133k (middle half $130k–$135k)12 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost of livingMaryland index 105.0US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Veterinary Medicine listings in Maryland53 active3,109 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 84% no call · 80% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repayment$100k sign-onMaryland healthcare professional listings: 47% state a sign-on bonus · 8% offer loan repayment103 active listings, Nov 2026
New Veterinary Medicine listings998 in the last 30 days506 the 30 days before (+97%)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 (3,095 Veterinary Medicine listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Associate Veterinarian at Heart + Paw a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Veterinary Medicine — ranked against 3,095 active Veterinary Medicine listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

24 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

6 jobs
1
$125k
1
$155k
3
$165k-185k
1
$200k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution

24 jobs · 7 employers
0
1-2
0
3-4
0
5-6
3
7-8
21
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

GP-Associate Veterinarian-Lincoln Hills Veterinary Hospital

Dvm Launch · Lincoln Hills, California

$140k-$200k
#2

Veterinarian

Pure Paws Veterinary Care · New York, New York

$160k-$180k
#3

Veterinarian

$160k-$180k
#4

Urgent Care Veterinarian

$140k-$175k
+ 22 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.6
Better work-life than 60% of Veterinary Medicine listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,095 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Heart + Paw logo

About Heart + Paw

Veterinary Services
Greater Philadelphia Area
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Up to $100,000 Sign-on Bonus
No Non-Compete
Relocation Available
Career Freedom
Collaborative Culture
Leading-Edge Technology
Competitive Compensation
Comprehensive Benefits

Living in Ridgely

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$357k
Median resident rent
$633/mo
Residents’ average commute
35 min
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

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