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Locum Veterinary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VCA Animal Hospitals

LOCUM Veterinary Specialist

Tustin, CA · On-site

$1.50K - $2.50K/wk

Locum/relief position for a boarded specialist. Intended for occasional services in Cardiology, Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine or Surgery. If you are a current associate, you need to ...

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Locum Veterinary information

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$49.5K

$165.5K

$294K

How much do locum veterinary jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for locum veterinary in the United States is $165,527.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,000.00 and $218,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Locum Veterinary, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Locum Veterinary, you need a veterinary degree, relevant licensure, and broad clinical competency across small or large animal care. Familiarity with practice management software, digital radiography, and anesthesia machines is often required, along with up-to-date professional certifications. Strong soft skills include adaptability, excellent interpersonal communication, and quick problem-solving to integrate smoothly into new teams and environments. These skills are crucial for delivering consistent, high-quality care and maintaining workflow continuity across diverse veterinary practices.

What are some common challenges locum veterinarians face when transitioning between different clinics or practices?

Locum veterinarians often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to new clinic protocols, electronic medical record systems, and varying team dynamics. Each practice may have different expectations, equipment, and client communication styles, requiring flexibility and strong interpersonal skills. Building rapport with new colleagues and clients while maintaining high standards of care is essential to ensure smooth transitions and positive outcomes for patients.

What are locum veterinarians?

Locum veterinarians are qualified veterinary professionals who temporarily fill in at veterinary practices, clinics, or hospitals when regular staff are unavailable due to leave, illness, or staffing shortages. They may work on short-term contracts or on an as-needed basis, providing flexibility for both the practice and the veterinarian. Locum vets perform the same duties as permanent staff, such as diagnosing and treating animals, performing surgeries, and advising pet owners. This role allows veterinarians to gain experience in different settings and locations, and helps practices maintain continuous care for their animal patients.

What is the difference between Locum Veterinary vs Permanent Veterinary?

AspectLocum VeterinaryPermanent Veterinary
CredentialsLicensed VeterinarianLicensed Veterinarian
Work EnvironmentTemporary, flexible clinics or hospitalsFull-time, long-term practice
Employer UsageShort-term staffing needsEstablished clinics or hospitals
Search IntentTemporary veterinary workLong-term veterinary employment

In summary, a Locum Veterinary provides temporary, flexible veterinary services to cover staffing gaps, while a Permanent Veterinary is employed full-time for ongoing practice needs. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in duration and employment stability.

More about Locum Veterinary jobs
What cities are hiring for Locum Veterinary jobs? Cities with the most Locum Veterinary job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Veterinary jobs? The most popular types of Veterinary jobs are:
What states have the most Locum Veterinary jobs? States with the most job openings for Locum Veterinary jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Locum Veterinary jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Locum Veterinary jobs are:
Locum Veterinary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Locum Veterinary job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $165,527 per year, or $79.6 per hour.

LOCUM Veterinary Specialist

VCA Animal Hospital

Tustin, CA

$1.50K - $2.50K/wk

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Locum/relief position for a boarded specialist. Intended for occasional services in Cardiology, Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine or Surgery.

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Career worklet on the landing page or search for Find Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more! The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com

Compensation is negotiable based on education, experience and other relevant credentials. The pay range for this position is $1,500-$2,500 per shift.

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

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