Jobs Similar to Veterinarians
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to veterinarians, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Podiatrists, Optometrists and Dermatologists.
Veterinarians: $130,100 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Veterinarians) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PodiatristsSame group | 83% | $160,300+23% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | OptometristsSame group | 82% | $136,570+5% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | DermatologistsSame group | 82% | $328,730+153% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 82% | $59,460−54% | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | ProsthodontistsSame group | 81% | $311,180+139% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 81% | $292,910+125% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsSame group | 81% | $352,220+171% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $256,560+97% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | OrthoptistsSame group | 80% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 10 | OrthodontistsSame group | 80% | $289,140+122% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Physicians, PathologistsSame group | 80% | $312,400+140% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Dentists, GeneralSame group | 80% | $170,950+31% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | UrologistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSame group | 80% | $300,080+131% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 17 | ChiropractorsSame group | 80% | $79,200−39% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 80% | $132,300+2% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 79% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 79% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Podiatrists
83% similar · $160,300 (+23%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Optometrists
82% similar · $136,570 (+5%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Dermatologists
82% similar · $328,730 (+153%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Exercise Physiologists
82% similar · $59,460 (−54%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Prosthodontists
81% similar · $311,180 (+139%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Obstetricians and Gynecologists
81% similar · $292,910 (+125%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
81% similar · $352,220 (+171%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8General Internal Medicine Physicians
81% similar · $256,560 (+97%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Orthoptists
80% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Orthodontists
80% similar · $289,140 (+122%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Physicians, Pathologists
80% similar · $312,400 (+140%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Dentists, General
80% similar · $170,950 (+31%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Allergists and Immunologists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Urologists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
80% similar · $300,080 (+131%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Chiropractors
80% similar · $79,200 (−39%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Nurse Practitioners
80% similar · $132,300 (+2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Sports Medicine Physicians
79% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Naturopathic Physicians
79% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than veterinarians.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons81% similar · $352,220 (+171%)
- Dermatologists82% similar · $328,730 (+153%)
- Physicians, Pathologists80% similar · $312,400 (+140%)
- Prosthodontists81% similar · $311,180 (+139%)
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric80% similar · $300,080 (+131%)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists81% similar · $292,910 (+125%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for veterinarians also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like veterinarians
What jobs are most similar to veterinarians?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Podiatrists (83% similar), Optometrists (82% similar), Dermatologists (82% similar), Exercise Physiologists (82% similar) and Prosthodontists (81% similar).
Which jobs like veterinarians pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($352,220, +171%; usually a graduate degree), Dermatologists ($328,730, +153%; usually a graduate degree) and Physicians (Pathologists) ($312,400, +140%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with veterinarians ($130,100). Without more preparation than veterinarians usually need: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dermatologists and Physicians (Pathologists).
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.