Surgery and Dentistry Focused Associate Veterinarian

VeterinarianIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$100K - $150K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Surgery and Dentistry-Focused Associate Veterinarian – All Creatures Animal Hospital!

Are you a veterinarian who thrives in the surgical suite or has a passion for high-quality dental care? Do you want to be part of a collaborative, high-performing team that values your surgical and dental expertise? All Creatures Animal Hospital in Puyallup, Washington, is actively seeking a Full-Time or Part-Time Associate Veterinarian with a passion for surgery and dentistry to join our thriving, 8-doctor AAHA-accredited practice!

Whether you're a seasoned surgeon or a newer grad eager to sharpen your skills with strong mentorship, this is a fantastic opportunity to do what you love in a supportive, forward-thinking environment.

Why This Role is a Great Fit for You:

Surgery & Dentistry Emphasis: Enjoy a consistent, varied caseload of soft tissue surgeries and dental procedures, with the opportunity to grow your skills in an environment that prioritizes surgical care.

State-of-the-Art Equipment: Our hospital is equipped with digital dental and full-body radiography, modern surgical suites, in-house labs, high-speed dental units, and advanced anesthesia monitoring — everything you need to provide top-tier care.

Clinical Autonomy: Work alongside experienced, like-minded DVMs and licensed technicians who respect and support your medical judgment, especially in your areas of expertise.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Supportive Team Culture: Join a team of experienced DVMs and licensed technicians who genuinely care about each other and our patients.

Inclusive, Growth-Oriented Environment: We prioritize mentorship and team collaboration, and we celebrate every team member's contributions.

Commitment to Quality Medicine: As an AAHA-accredited hospital, we practice progressive, evidence-based veterinary care with a strong emphasis on client education and preventative medicine.

Life in Puyallup, Washington

Nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, Puyallup offers the best of both worlds — access to exciting city amenities and the peaceful beauty of the Pacific Northwest. With year-round outdoor recreation, top-rated schools, a charming downtown, and a strong sense of community, it's a wonderful place to call home.

About Lakefield Veterinary Group

All Creatures Animal Hospital is proud to be part of the Lakefield Veterinary Group — a family-owned organization that prioritizes hospital-level autonomy, team well-being, and outstanding patient care. We believe in supporting our doctors with the tools and freedom they need to thrive, both professionally and personally.

Ready to Join Us?

If you're passionate about veterinary medicine and want to work in a supportive, team-driven environment where you can make a real impact, we'd love to connect!

Please contact Nikki Hanschu at nikki.hanschu@lakefieldvet.com or apply directly at Lakefield Careers

Compensation Range

$100,000—$150,000 USD

Key Responsibilities

Perform a varied caseload of soft tissue surgeries and high-quality dental procedures. Collaborate with a team of DVMs and technicians to provide evidence-based veterinary care and client education.

Requirements

Must be a veterinarian (DVM) with a passion for surgery and dentistry. Open to both seasoned surgeons and new graduates seeking mentorship.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Soft Tissue SurgeryVeterinary DentistryDigital Radiography

Surgery Career Context

Of the 40 active Surgery listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 57% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$125k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $117k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Surgery by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$100k–$150kSurgery median $145k (middle half $135k–$155k)30 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$117k in purchasing powerWashington index 107.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Surgery listings in Washington163 active4,640 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 3% remote · 57% no call · 60% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedWashington healthcare professional listings: 45% state a sign-on bonus · 6% offer loan repayment163 active listings, Nov 2026
New Surgery listings703 in the last 30 days472 the 30 days before (+49%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$125k midpoint, that is roughly $5k–$9k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

17 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

17 jobs · 16 employers
2
<$125k
1
$140k
10
$150k-175k
3
$175k-200k
1
$200k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

16 jobs
CME allowance
94%
Sign-on bonus
88%
Relocation assistance
88%
401k / retirement match
75%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

GP-Associate Veterinarian-Lincoln Hills Veterinary Hospital

Dvm Launch · Lincoln Hills, California

$140k-$200k
#2

Hospital Medical Leader - Veterinarian

PETCO Animal Supplies Stores · Vancouver, Washington

$122k-$196k
#3

Veterinarian

$160k-$180k
#4

Veterinarian

$160k-$180k
+ 15 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Below most Surgery (Veterinary) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 42 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
All Creatures Animal Hospital logo

About All Creatures Animal Hospital

Benefits & Perks

Mentorship
State-of-the-art equipment
Clinical autonomy
Supportive team culture
Inclusive, growth-oriented environment
Commitment to quality medicine

Living in Graham

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$566k≈ 5.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,523/mo≈ 30% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
43 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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