PETCO Animal Supplies Stores logo
PETCO Animal Supplies Stores
Toms River, New Jersey

Hospital Medical Leader or Associate Veterinarian

VeterinarianNo callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$128K–$205K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.

Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through distinct experiences, products, and services.

Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

About Petco

We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it.

We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way.

We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love.

Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

We Invite You

Unleash your career.

We’re a health and wellness company. Our mission is to improve the lives of pets, pet parents and each other.

Vetco Total Care Hospital Medical Leaders ensure the highest level of patient care and client experience, drive continuous improvement in clinical skills and cultivate a supportive, respectful, and collaborative work culture where all people feel welcome.

Hospital Medical Leaders review hospital P&L and partner with medical and operations field leaders to drive hospital performance, efficiency and exceptional care quality.

Vetco Total Care hospitals are fully equipped with the latest technology including cloud-based practice management and records software, digital and dental x-ray, Idexx, Butterfly iQ+ handheld ultrasound, Vetology Radiograph Interpretation AI, VMED Vet-Dop2 Doppler Blood Pressure System and VETSCAN IMAGYST enabling you and your team to deliver the highest standards of care. This includes routine, diagnostic and complex procedures including (but not limited to) radiographs and ultrasounds, dental extractions and prophylaxis, spays/neuters, abdominal exploratory, and mass removals.

You will grow as a practitioner and a leader with paid continued education and leadership training. With the freedom to practice true autonomous medicine, you will utilize all your experience and skills and continue to learn.

You will build relationships with pet parents and model respect and empathy.

You will enjoy the support of local medical directors and a team of licensed and trained veterinary technicians and assistants. Plus, flexible schedules, open time off, zero noncompetes and no on-call shifts ensure you enjoy your life outside of work.

  • We Support You
  • Financial Wellbeing
  • Competitive salary
  • 401(K) and company match
  • Production and quarterly bonuses

Sign-on and Relocation Bonuses for Many Roles

  • Generous discounts in store, grooming, training, hospital services – plus travel, entertainment, insurance, and fitness perks
  • Work-Life Sustainability
  • Open- and paid- time off with no negative accruals
  • Flexible schedule options
  • No on-call, no late nights or overnights

Health & Wellness Support

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision and mental health insurance and resources for you and your loved ones
  • Fertility and family-planning assistance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Pet bereavement
  • Career Growth
  • No noncompetes for veterinarians we hire
  • No sales quotas on wellness plans
  • $3500 paid CE for full-time veterinarians
  • 100% DEA reimbursement
  • Subject Matter Expert training in dentistry, dermatology, and nutrition
  • Mentorship available
  • Medical leadership and business training

Career Advancement Opportunities

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.

The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements.

Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.

$128,200.00 - $205,000.00 / year

For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see careers.petco.com

Key Responsibilities

The Hospital Medical Leader ensures high-quality patient care and client experience while driving hospital performance and operational efficiency. They also cultivate a collaborative work culture and mentor veterinary staff to maintain clinical excellence.

Requirements

Candidates must be licensed veterinarians capable of performing routine, diagnostic, and complex surgical procedures. Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage hospital P&L and clinical standards are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
5+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Veterinary medicineSurgeryRadiologyClinical leadershipTeam managementClient communicationP&L managementDiagnostic proceduresSpay and neuterMass removalAnesthesiaMedical record keeping

Veterinary Medicine Career Context

The cost-of-living index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$167k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $153k in an average-cost state. 63.8% of New Jersey clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 72% have no call, 88% require no weekends.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Hospital Medical Leader or Associate Veterinarian at PETCO Animal Supplies Stores a 7.5 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Veterinary Medicine — ranked against 3,108 active Veterinary Medicine listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

12 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution12 jobs · 11 employers

6
<$155k
1
$160k
3
$170k-185k
0
$185k-200k
2
$200k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks12 jobs · 11 employers

Sign-on bonus
92% this job
401k / retirement match
92% this job
Relocation assistance
92% this job
CME allowance
67% this job
Loan repayment
17%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Associate Veterinarian

PETCO Animal Supplies Stores · Hackensack, New Jersey

$96k-$203k
#2

Veterinarian

Sploot Veterinary Care · South Brunswick, New Jersey

$150k-$200k
#3

Veterinarian

$160k-$180k
#4

Veterinarian

$160k-$180k
+ 10 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 7.5
Better work-life than 80% of Veterinary Medicine listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,108 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No call

Living in Toms River

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$517k≈ 4.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,934/mo≈ 27% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
30 min
State income tax
Up to 10.8%
Sources & methodology

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

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

PETCO Animal Supplies Stores logo

About PETCO Animal Supplies Stores

Ranching
San Diego, California
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive salary
401(K) and company match
Production and quarterly bonuses
Sign-on and relocation bonuses for many roles
Generous discounts in store, grooming, training, hospital services
Open- and paid- time off with no negative accruals
Flexible schedule options
No on-call, no late nights or overnights