Veterinarian - Merced, CA
Listed compensation
$170k-$200k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Who We Are
Full-Time/Part-Time Veterinarian – Valley Animal Hospital, Merced, CA
Since 1985, Valley Animal Hospital (VAH) has proudly served dogs, cats, exotics, and pocket pets in Merced, CA, delivering top-notch veterinary care. We’ve been named “Favorite Veterinary Clinic” in the Merced Sun-Star Reader’s Choice Awards three years in a row!
Our welcoming hospital features superb veterinarians, 3 licensed veterinary technicians, and a dedicated support staff committed to patients, clients, and community. VAH is actively involved in local outreach and animal rescue initiatives, and we provide low-cost spay/neuter services through a local non-profit program.
We are seeking a Full-Time or Part-Time Veterinarian to join our community-focused practice.
Where We Are
Merced is a growing, affordable community with a bright future. With UC Merced nearby, there are exciting opportunities to grow your clientele if you enjoy building strong client relationships. Residents and visitors enjoy lakes, reservoirs, wildlife wetlands, and the historic Castle Air Museum. For outdoor lovers, Yosemite National Park is just a couple of hours away.
This is a great opportunity for a veterinarian who wants to stay and grow in a small, close-knit community.
Our Facility
- Comfortable, stand-alone hospital – designed for a smooth, efficient workflow.
- Exam rooms: 6 (one small, closet-sized).
- Surgical suite: 3 tables, ideal for up to 2 veterinarians at a time.
- Treatment area: includes dental table.
- Boarding: small on-site facility.
What We Offer
Work/life balance – no after-hour requirements.
Flexible Schedule Options
- Four 10-hour workdays.
- Part-time or relief work welcome.
- No on-call, flexible shifts.
State-of-the-art Equipment
- Digital radiography (standard & dental).
- Ultrasound.
- Bovie electrocautery unit.
- Advanced procedures: soft tissue, orthopedic, dental surgeries, chemotherapy.
- In-house lab testing: IDEXX CBC/Chem.
- Client engagement: Rover Rewards Loyalty Program.
Mentorship & Support
We value growth and hands-on learning! While our clinic pace is busy, we provide a gradual onboarding process for new graduates to ease into managing a full caseload. You’ll have the opportunity to learn by doing, steadily building your confidence and skills while integrating into our workflow.
Success in this role is enhanced by excellent communication skills, as building strong relationships with clients and our team is essential for providing top-notch care.
We also support Large Animal Veterinarians transitioning to small animal medicine and provide resources for new graduates to connect, collaborate, and thrive:
- Structured orientation with 1-on-1 surgical guidance.
- Zoom calls and roundtables with other recent graduates.
- Peer advisors for networking and career guidance.
- Dedicated Slack group for case reviews and collaboration.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $170,000 – $200,000 annually (DOE).
- Generous sign-on bonus.
- Relocation assistance.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k) with company match.
- CE allowance + paid CE days.
- Paid parental leave (birth/adoption).
- Licensing, dues, and liability coverage.
- FSA, EAP, staff discounts, and referral bonuses.
Exclusive Perks Through Resources for Living – savings on electronics, travel, entertainment, fitness, and more.
We have a positive, well-being-focused culture and a supportive, collaborative team. Join us and grow your career while making a real impact in our community!
Apply today or submit your resume to Vanessa at vsanchez@vetcor.com
What's in It for You
Key Responsibilities
Provide high-quality veterinary care for dogs, cats, exotics, and pocket pets. Engage in client communication and participate in community-focused outreach and rescue initiatives.
Requirements
The role is open to veterinarians, including new graduates, who possess excellent communication skills. Candidates must be capable of performing standard veterinary procedures and building strong client relationships.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
In California, the Veterinary Medicine weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$163k (167 salary observations; 606 listings), vs ~$140k nationally (873 salary observations; 7,060 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$185k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $167k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 7.1 / 10 · above average in veterinary medicine | ranked against 3,083 Veterinary Medicine listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $170k–$200k | Veterinary Medicine median $170k (middle half $154k–$190k)78 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| California vs national | $163k median in California | $140k nationally (+16%)167 state / 873 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$167k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in California | 242 active | 3,421 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 80% no call · 60% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus | California healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 47% state a sign-on bonus (median $38k) · 14% offer loan repayment366 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 1,252 in the last 30 days | 492 the 30 days before (+154%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +3.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
| Vet Cor | #8 of 14 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Veterinarian - Merced, CA at Vet Cor a 7.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the Above average in Veterinary Medicine — ranked against 3,083 active Veterinary Medicine listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties, no weekend requirements.
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