Average Veterinary Surgeon Salary UK

The average Veterinary Surgeon salary in UK is £57,586.33.

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What does a Veterinary Surgeon earn?

On average veterinary surgeons earn around £57,586.33 per year in the UK. Veterinary surgeons (or vet surgeons) are healthcare / veterinary science professionals that specialise in the medical and surgical treatment of animals. They require extensive knowledge of animal physiology to accurately treat a wide variety of animals from pets and farm animals to wildlife and zoo animals. 

How to earn more as a Veterinary Surgeon

To become a veterinary surgeon, you must register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. In order to do this, you will first need a degree in veterinary medicine. As this role is so diverse, there are a wide range of specialisms that could earn you a higher wage. You could specialise in a medical field such as Anaesthesia, cardiology, dermatology and emergency care, or you could specialise in a type of animal, cats, horses, sealife. Not to mention promotion into senior management roles.

Average Salary: £57,586.33

Min: £42,500 Max: £74,800

Average Salary in UK: £57,586.33

Read about Veterinary Surgeon salaries and related job and salary information across the UK


Average Veterinary Surgeon salary

The average salary for Veterinary Surgeon jobs is a valuable metric for employees, employers, and candidates. The salary information can be a helpful insight when advertising jobs, making a job search, applying for jobs and negotiating salary.

Newly qualified Veterinary Surgeon basic salary

Newly qualified Veterinary Surgeons should expect to start their career with a salary that is lower than the UK average earnings for the role. It can take several years working as a Veterinary Surgeon to achieve the average UK salary.

Your initial per year salary may also be influenced by factors such as the region and city where you work, with London typically offering more than other major cities. Whether you work in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland will also alter the job’s average gross and net earnings.

Fully qualified Veterinary Surgeon salaries

Your experience level directly affects where in the salary range your earnings will fall. Senior salaries are usually achieved by those who become fully qualified in their field.

Veterinary Surgeon career development

In the Healthcare industry, you might be rewarded for the number of years you have worked with the employer. However, promotions and higher pay per year cannot always be achieved by remaining in the same department or company.

Professional development and specialising in a specific area will warrant an appropriate salary increase. Still, you might need to consider setting up a job alert, making a job search, and moving to another company or department to maximise your earnings or find relevant opportunities for progression.

Veterinary Surgeon take home pay

In the United Kingdom, your career decisions should not be solely focused on take-home pay. Your average total compensation may include benefits that offer more value than a paycheque.

For example, health insurance, a company vehicle, part or full-time remote working, company share schemes, higher paid annual holiday days, a short commute, and maternity and paternity leave are benefits that can contribute towards your living standards, work/life balance, and job satisfaction.

Increase your annual salary with a Veterinary Surgeon pay rise

A pay rise can raise your earnings per year and should be compared against the Healthcare industry average salary pay rise. Comparing your salary rise against metrics such as inflation will tell you if you will be better or worse off during the following year. It would help if you also weighed up your pay increase against the nation's cost of living increase.

If you intend to negotiate a rise above the UK average salary, you will need facts, figures, and percentages to quantify your rise. Before negotiating better pay rates, you should prepare yourself for the discussion. Bring together all the evidence that adds weight to your case for a higher salary, including the average Veterinary Surgeon wage, your qualifications, achievements, and recognition.

Get paid more than your job’s average base salary with further training

Further qualifications and training will help you increase your average earnings. Training options include job-relevant diplomas, A levels, and degrees. Completing a course on a specific topic, application, or equipment will also improve your earning potential.

Earn more per year with extra shifts

Working overtime is another option that will help you be paid more than an average salary for your job. If your personal circumstances and commitments allow, you could also work unsocial hours with an hourly pay rate higher than your standard hourly rate.