Physician vs Veterinarian
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: mostly different jobs wearing similar names. Posted pay favors the physician by about $139k at the midpoint.
The short answer
On pay, physicians come out ahead by about $139k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $92k–$305k against $12k–$106k for veterinarians. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The readiness numbers further down say how far a typical profile on each side already reaches into the other, and which direction is the easier move.
Physician
physician jobs · physician salary · physician career guide · careers for physicians
Veterinarian
The overlap, measured
Switching, both directions
Physician → Veterinarian
Veterinary degree (DVM or equivalent) and a state or cantonal licence to practise
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo + license.
What veterinarian postings ask for that physician profiles usually lack: Recruiting, Radiography, Telehealth, Account Management.
Veterinarian → Physician
MD/DO, residency, and state medical license (7+ yrs of training)
Transition estimate: 7+ yr incl. license.
What physician postings ask for that veterinarian profiles usually lack: Teaching.
Open physician roles
- Angiologie Facharzt EFZ gesucht (m/w/d) 100% in Region Zofingen at MediPersonalZofingen, Aargau, SwitzerlandTodayApply
- Allgemeinarzt / Allgemeinärztin 80–100% – Innere Medizin / Hausarztmedizin in Saas-Grund at MediPersonalSaas-Grund, Valais, SwitzerlandTodayApply
- Physician-Cardiac Surgeon at Veterans Health AdministrationCleveland, Ohio$124k–$400kTodayApply
- Physician GI & Hepatology Section Chief at Veterans Health AdministrationAurora, Colorado$350k–$400kTodayApply
Open veterinarian roles
- Veterinarian, Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services at Direct employerNew York, USTodayUnlock
Senior Veterinary Surgeon - Part Time at Vets NowDoncaster$114k2d agoApply- Assistente di studio veterinario at Centro Veterinario Scairolo SAMontagnola, Ticino, Switzerland3d agoApply
Veterinarian Translator for Editorial book at LocalEyesUnited States · Remote3d agoApply
See the whole board for both
3,365 open roles across the two.
Related comparisons
- Nurse Practitioner vs Physician54% peak overlap
- Nurse Practitioner vs Veterinarian43% peak overlap
- Physical Therapist vs Veterinarian32% peak overlap
- Physical Therapist vs Physician31% peak overlap
- Paramedic vs Physicianpay compared
- Health Informatics Specialist vs Physicianpay compared
Which one do your skills favor?
Run the instrument with your own skills and both numbers recompute for you. Free.
Quick answers
Which pays more, physician or veterinarian?
On pay, physicians come out ahead by about $139k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $92k–$305k against $12k–$106k for veterinarians. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
Are physician and veterinarian the same job?
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The skills both sets of postings want most are Brewing, Patient Care, Training & Facilitation.
Can a physician become a veterinarian?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical physician profile covers 38% of what veterinarian postings ask for. One thing to settle first: veterinary degree (dvm or equivalent) and a state or cantonal licence to practise. Skill overlap does not shorten a credential. Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo + license. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a veterinarian become a physician?
Going the other way, a typical veterinarian profile covers 38% of what physician postings ask for. Keep in mind: md/do, residency, and state medical license (7+ yrs of training). Our estimate for the move is 7+ yr incl. license.
How many physician and veterinarian jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 3,328 physician openings and 37 veterinarian openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most physicians at the moment: MediPersonal (2419), Veterans Health Administration (207), Direct employer (134). For veterinarians: SEIRO GmbH (6), Direct employer (4), Modern Animal, Inc. (3).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.