Associate Veterinarian
Listed compensation
$160K - $220K
Listing transparency3 of 6 stated
Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and nights and shift pattern.
- Employment & setting
- Full-Time
- Call expectations
- Includes call
- Weekends
- Not specified
Job Description
Why Join Our Team
Animal Hospital of Palo Alto is a general practice located in the scenic and innovative town of Palo Alto, California. Positioned in the heart of Silicon Valley, we offer veterinary care that blends compassionate treatment with the forward-thinking spirit of our tech-centric community.
Our practice focuses strongly on client education, promoting healthy pet lifestyles through nutrition, exercise, and preventative care. We're equipped with essential facilities including surgical suites, IDEXX in-house lab equipment, and digital radiography to provide quality care for our patients.
- What Sets Us Apart
- Client Education Focus: Passionate about helping pet owners understand and implement healthy lifestyles
- Diagnostic Capabilities: IDEXX lab equipment and digital radiography for comprehensive care
- Surgical Services: Dedicated surgical suite for standard procedures
- Work-Life Balance: Dedicated surgical days and private doctors' office for optimal workflow
- Community Connection: Building relationships in the heart of Silicon Valley
Located in beautiful Palo Alto, enjoy the blend of natural beauty and innovation that Silicon Valley offers. Join us for a rewarding career in a supportive practice that values clinical excellence, continuous learning, and a healthy work environment.
About This Role
Join our veterinary hospital as an Associate Veterinarian and put your medical expertise to work making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their families! In this fulfilling role, you'll diagnose and treat companion animals while working collaboratively with our experienced medical team.
You'll practice high-quality medicine with the guidance and support of our Medical Director, providing compassionate care to every patient. This position offers the perfect balance of clinical autonomy and mentorship, allowing you to grow your skills while delivering exceptional veterinary care. If you're passionate about animal health and building lasting client relationships, we'd love to welcome you to our team.
What Success Looks Like
Clinical Excellence: You'll apply your veterinary expertise to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries, prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and develop comprehensive treatment plans.
Client Communication: You'll build trust with pet owners by clearly explaining diagnoses, treatment options, and home care instructions with empathy and professionalism.
Collaborative Care: You'll work seamlessly with our veterinary technicians and support staff, providing guidance while valuing their input and expertise.
Preventive Focus: You'll educate clients about preventive care, including vaccinations, parasite control, nutrition, and early disease detection.
Continuous Learning: You'll stay current with veterinary advancements and contribute to our hospital's culture of medical excellence and innovation.
What Makes You a Great Fit
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with current state license
- Exceptional communication skills with both clients and team members
- Sound clinical judgment and strong decision-making abilities
- Genuine compassion for animals and the people who love them
- Professional demeanor and well-developed interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in diagnostic procedures, surgical techniques, and treatment methods
- Ability to manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding veterinary ethics
- Comfort with current veterinary technology and practice management software
Education & Experience
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Current state veterinary license in good standing
- DEA license required
- New graduates are welcome to apply
How We'll Support You
- Competitive salary ($160,000 - $220,000 base) + production bonus opportunities
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Mentorship from experienced veterinarians and supportive team environment
- Continuing education allowance and paid time off
- 401(k) with company match
- State-of-the-art equipment and facilities
- Professional liability coverage and paid license fees
- Balanced scheduling for work-life harmony
- Growth opportunities and employee referral program
- Relocation assistance available
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Key Responsibilities
The Associate Veterinarian will diagnose and treat companion animals while performing surgeries and developing comprehensive treatment plans. They will also educate clients on preventive care and work collaboratively with the medical team to ensure high-quality patient outcomes.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and a current state veterinary license. Strong clinical judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to perform surgical procedures are required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
In California, the Veterinary Medicine weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$158k (69 salary observations; 213 listings), vs ~$142k nationally (313 salary observations; 2,301 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-03-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Of the 40 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 70% have no call, 63% require no weekends.
Veterinary Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$190k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $172k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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