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Per Diem Veterinary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Per Diem Veterinary information

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$12

$21

$31

How much do per diem veterinary jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for per diem veterinary in the United States is $21.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Per Diem Veterinarian, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Per Diem Veterinarian, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, a valid veterinary license, and strong diagnostic and surgical skills. Familiarity with veterinary practice management software, digital radiography, and anesthesia monitoring equipment is typically required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and teamwork help per diem veterinarians integrate quickly into different clinical environments and build rapport with staff and clients. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering high-quality patient care and maintaining workflow efficiency in a variety of veterinary settings.

How do per diem veterinary roles typically integrate into existing clinic teams, and what should I expect in terms of collaboration?

Per diem veterinarians often work alongside regular staff, filling in during peak times or when full-time doctors are unavailable. You can expect to quickly adapt to each clinic's protocols while collaborating closely with veterinary technicians and support staff to provide seamless patient care. Effective communication and flexibility are crucial, as you'll frequently encounter new team dynamics and workflows. This role is ideal for professionals who enjoy variety and are comfortable jumping into different environments with minimal onboarding.

What is a Per Diem Veterinary professional?

A Per Diem Veterinary professional is a veterinarian who works on an as-needed, temporary, or substitute basis rather than as a full-time or part-time permanent employee. These veterinarians typically fill in during staff shortages, busy periods, or when regular staff members are on leave. Per diem veterinarians may work at different clinics or hospitals and often have flexible schedules. This arrangement allows both the employer and the veterinarian to have flexibility in staffing and work-life balance.

What is the difference between Per Diem Veterinary vs Emergency Veterinary Technician?

AspectPer Diem VeterinaryEmergency Veterinary Technician
CredentialsVeterinary Technician LicenseVeterinary Technician License
Work EnvironmentGeneral clinics, scheduled shiftsEmergency clinics, irregular hours
Employer & IndustryAnimal clinics, hospitals24/7 emergency hospitals
Work FocusRoutine care, scheduled proceduresCritical care, urgent procedures

Per Diem Veterinary roles typically involve scheduled, routine veterinary care in general clinics, while Emergency Veterinary Technicians work in urgent, high-pressure emergency settings. Both require veterinary technician credentials but differ mainly in work environment and focus.

More about Per Diem Veterinary jobs
What cities are hiring for Per Diem Veterinary jobs? Cities with the most Per Diem 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 Per Diem Veterinary jobs? States with the most job openings for Per Diem Veterinary jobs include:
Infographic showing various Per Diem Veterinary job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,144 per year, or $21.7 per hour.
Per Diem Veterinary Technician / Veterinary Assistant

Per Diem Veterinary Technician / Veterinary Assistant

Ethos Veterinary Health

San Marcos, CA โ€ข On-site

$17 - $40/hr

Temporary

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Per Diem Veterinary Technician / Veterinary Assistant
Emergency & Specialty Care
Do you love animals, thrive in fast-paced medicine, and want flexibility without giving up meaningful, high-acuity cases? Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County may be the right fit for you.
VSH North County is a 24/7 AAHA-accredited emergency and specialty hospital providing advanced care in Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Oncology, Radiology, and more. Our teams manage everything from routine emergencies to complex, high-acuity cases - including critical inpatients and overnight ECC medicine.
We are currently seeking Per Diem Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants to support our hospital during times of increased caseload, coverage needs, and critical care demand.
What Per Diem Means Here
A Per Diem employee supports the hospital as needed beyond our full-time staffing to ensure optimal patient care.
  • Shifts may include day, swing, overnight, weekend, and holiday coverage
  • Availability is based on hospital needs and open shifts
  • Minimum requirement: at least one shift every 30 days
This role offers schedule flexibility, exposure to advanced emergency and specialty medicine, and opportunities to grow within a high-performing clinical environment.
About You
You're clinically solid, adaptable, and comfortable stepping into a busy ECC and specialty hospital environment - especially when caseloads are high or acuity spikes.
Clinical Skills & Responsibilities
  • Prioritize and adapt in a fast-paced emergency and specialty setting
  • Perform phlebotomy and IV catheter placement in stable and compromised canine and feline patients
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of disease processes, medical math, anesthesia principles, and pharmacology
  • Assist with triage of critical patients, recognize changes in condition, and communicate concerns to the DVM
  • Execute, monitor, and recover sedation and anesthetic events
  • Provide hourly treatments, manage task flow, and support patient care plans
  • Assist with minor (non-specialty) surgical procedures
  • Support inpatient and overnight care, including deteriorating or unstable patients
  • Educate and update clients on patient status and assist with discharges
  • Collaborate effectively with technicians, doctors, and client care teams across departments
Minimum Qualifications
  • 3+ years experience as a Veterinary Assistant or Technician in a progressive general practice or
  • 2+ years experience in an emergency or specialty hospital
  • CA RVT or Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) required