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Animal Surgeon Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Animal Surgeon information

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$155K

$368.9K

$400K

How much do animal surgeon jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal surgeon in the United States is $368,879.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $350,000.00 and $400,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal surgeon?

Animal surgeons, also known as veterinary surgeons, are veterinarians who specialize in performing surgical procedures on animals. They diagnose injuries and diseases, recommend surgical options, and perform operations ranging from routine spaying and neutering to complex orthopedic or soft tissue surgeries. Animal surgeons work with a variety of animals, including pets, livestock, and sometimes exotic species. They also provide post-operative care and collaborate with pet owners to ensure the best recovery outcomes. Their expertise is crucial for treating conditions that cannot be managed with medication alone.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal surgeon, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Surgeon, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, board certification in veterinary surgery, and extensive knowledge of animal anatomy and surgical procedures. Proficiency with surgical instruments, anesthesia machines, and diagnostic imaging systems is essential. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and communication skills with both clients and veterinary teams set candidates apart. These skills ensure successful surgical outcomes, patient safety, and effective collaboration in veterinary practice.

What are some common challenges animal surgeons face during complex surgical procedures, and how can they be managed?

Animal Surgeons often encounter challenges such as unpredictable complications during surgery, variations in animal anatomy, and managing post-operative pain or infection. To address these issues, surgeons rely on thorough preoperative assessments, clear communication with veterinary technicians, and adherence to strict aseptic techniques. Continuous learning and collaboration with veterinary specialists also help in effectively managing unexpected situations, ensuring the best outcomes for their animal patients.

What is the difference between Animal Surgeon vs Veterinarian?

AspectAnimal SurgeonVeterinarian
Required CredentialsDoctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), specialized surgical trainingDoctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms, clinics, hospitals, surgical centersGeneral clinics, hospitals, outpatient care, surgeries
Employer & IndustryVeterinary hospitals, specialty surgical clinicsAnimal clinics, hospitals, research facilities
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for surgical expertise and specializationBroader role including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

Animal Surgeons are specialized veterinarians focusing on surgical procedures, requiring advanced surgical training. Veterinarians have a broader scope, including diagnosis and general care. While all Animal Surgeons are Veterinarians, not all Veterinarians are Animal Surgeons. The key difference lies in specialization and surgical focus.

How do you become an animal surgeon?

To become an animal surgeon, one must complete a bachelor's degree, attend veterinary school to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, and then complete a surgical residency or specialized training in veterinary surgery. Licensing and certification by relevant veterinary boards are also required to practice as a veterinary surgeon.
More about Animal Surgeon jobs

What cities are hiring for Animal Surgeon jobs?

Cities with the most Animal Surgeon job openings:

What states have the most Animal Surgeon jobs?

States with the most job openings for Animal Surgeon jobs include:

Infographic showing various Animal Surgeon job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $368,879 per year, or $177.3 per hour.

Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Small Animal Surgery

Unavailable

Logan, UT

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Overview

The Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences (VCLS) in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Utah State University (USU) is seeking applicants for an assistant, associate or full professor of small animal surgery. The position is flexible and may include 70-95% teaching, 10-25% research (optional, if the candidate is interested), and 5% service. Tenure-track, professional practice-track, or part-time positions are available with an anticipated start date of June 1, 2026. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled. The tenure-track rank of assistant, associate, or full professor and the non-tenure track rank of professional practice assistant, associate, or full professor will be considered, depending on preference, qualifications, and experience of the successful applicant.

The candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of veterinary professionals by delivering small animal internal medicine instruction in the new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree curriculum. In this capacity, the candidate is also expected to develop and implement innovative teaching methodologies, assessment tools, and evaluation criteria to measure veterinary students' mastery throughout the program's entirety. The candidate will also contribute to other curriculum activities associated with their expertise.

If interested, the candidate will have the potential to develop and carry out an independent, nationally recognized research program that includes mentoring students to engage in quality research with opportunities to seek external funding and publish their scholarship in peer-reviewed scientific outlets.

Applicants must have a DVM or equivalent veterinary professional degree, be licensed or eligible for licensure to practice in the State of Utah, and be a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS-SA), the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (DECVS-SA), or be residency-trained for one of these organizations. The ideal candidates should have strong skills in clinical practice and teaching of small animal surgery, demonstrated research interest and experience, and outstanding communication skills.

The full-time position is eligible for excellent benefits, including paid holidays, 22 vacation days/year, a 50% undergraduate tuition reduction for employees and dependents, competitive health benefits packages, and a generous contribution to retirement. In addition, up to 4 days/month may be used for consulting work. View more information here: Summary of Benefits 2024-2025.

Responsibilities

Position Responsibilities for Teaching:

  • Deliver instruction in small animal surgery in the DVM degree curriculum including hands-on instruction in clinical skills and live animal surgery labs.
  • Take a leadership role in course organization and development.
  • Develop and implement innovative teaching methodologies, assessment tools, and evaluation criteria in your area of instruction.
  • Contribute to developing the DVM degree curriculum and other curriculum activities associated with their expertise.
  • Opportunities to design, analyze, and publish pedagogical research.

Position Responsibilities for Research (Optional, If Candidate is Interested):

  • Potential to develop and carry out a high-quality research program that includes mentoring veterinary medical, graduate and undergraduate students.Potential to obtain extramural funding and to publish scholarship in peer-reviewed scientific journals and other outlets.

Position Responsibilities for Service:

  • Contribute to the department, college, university, and profession through service (e.g., serve on graduate student, curriculum, hiring, and admissions committees).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • DVM, or equivalent degree(s).
  • DACVS (SA) or DECVS (SA) board-certified surgeon or residency-trained veterinarian.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as a team member in a collaborative setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least one year as a practicing small animal surgeon.
  • Experience teaching veterinary medical students in didactic or clinical settings.
  • Only for candidates interested in research, a demonstrated record of scholarly activity and publications within refereed scientific and/or pedagogical journals.

Additional Qualifications for Consideration for the Rank of Associate or Full Professor:

  • Extensive experience in the field of small animal surgery.
  • Demonstrated excellence in teaching veterinary medical students in didactic and/or clinical settings.
  • Only for candidates interested in research, an established record of research productivity, including publications in scientific and/or pedagogical journals, with evidence of securing extramural funding.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

  • CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV
  • Letter of Intent including a statement of career goals, teaching philosophy and interests, and, only for those candidates interested in research, a statement of research philosophy and interests. Upload to "Other Documents 1-10"
  • Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with education and experience

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.

College/Department Highlights

The Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Small Animal Surgery will be joining the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at an exciting point of transformation. In 2022 the state of Utah approved the creation of a full four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program at USU. The CVM has received approval through its accrediting agency, the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, to admit its inaugural class of 40 students in the fall of 2025, and cohorts of 80 veterinary students in subsequent years.

The new college is the only veterinary medical education program in Utah. The CVM is dedicated to providing top-tier education and training to the next generation of veterinarians. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning, innovative teaching methods, and a commitment to excellence in veterinary care. Join our dynamic team and contribute to shaping the future of veterinary medicine.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State's 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

*updated 07/2026

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

titleix@usu.edu

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov

*updated 08/2026