CVMA 2022 Economic Survey Report—Part 2

The CVMA’s Economic Task Force was convened to study and report on economic trends facing the veterinary industry in California. The Task Force first partnered with EMC Research in 2013 to conduct an online survey of California veterinary professionals and has conducted surveys every three years since to follow trends in the industry over time. The fourth iteration of the survey was conducted in July and August of 2022 and received 1,333 total responses, including 923 responses from veterinarians and 410 responses from RVTs.

Responses from veterinarians can be compared to the 2019, 2016, and inaugural 2013 studies conducted by EMC Research and the CVMA Economic Task Force, and responses from RVTs can be compared to the 2019 and 2016 studies. Due to rounding, or some questions allowing multiple responses to be selected, percentages may not add up to exactly 100%.

This is the second article in a series exploring the results of the survey. It will cover ownership and revenue among California veterinary professionals, pay and benefits among veterinarian associates and owners as well as RVTs, and shifts in attitudes towards practice ownership since 2019.

All respondents were asked to report their current pre-tax salary or income, including bonuses but not including other benefits like health care plans. Veterinarian owners were also asked to include profit sharing and exclude rental income.

*As used herein, “DVM” is shorthand for licensed veterinarians, recognizing that different schools use different designations for their veterinary degrees.

This survey was administered and aggregated by EMC Research.