Also called: Attending Veterinarian, Director of Comparative Medicine
Leads an institution's entire animal research program, from vets to caretakers to regulatory compliance.
Manages a staff of 80, a budget in the millions, and facilities housing thousands of animals; prepares for federal inspections and accreditation; and serves on committees deciding which research is ethical.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 15 years after high school. DVM, board certification, and 10+ years of experience.
Ways in: Professional school, On-the-job training. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Animal Science, Biology, Veterinary Technology.
Growing about average. Few positions.
Low risk for 10 years. Software tracks compliance and census; leading vets and staff and owning ethics oversight stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Business or economics, Speech & debate.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9121.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.