Also called: Comparative Medicine Veterinarian, DACLAM
Oversees the health and humane care of animals used in biomedical research.
Checks on mice, rats, and monkeys in a university research facility, trains scientists in proper surgical technique, reviews study protocols to reduce animal pain, and treats sick animals. One of the best-paid vet career paths.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 12 years after high school. DVM plus a 2-3 year laboratory animal medicine residency and board certification.
Ways in: Professional school, Graduate school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Animal Science, Biology, Veterinary Technology, Pre-Veterinary.
Growing much faster than average (about 10% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. FDA's shift toward non-animal tests may slowly shrink research colonies, but overseeing animal health and welfare stays hands-on.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, Vet-science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1131.
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.