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We’ll hand-match roles based on what matters to you.
We’ll hand-match roles based on what matters to you.
As the most populous state in the country and a national leader in agriculture, California supports an exceptional range of veterinary medicine. We recruit for vet jobs in California across general practice, urgent care, specialty medicine and hospital leadership, in full-time, part-time and flexible permanent roles.
The caseload reflects the state itself: a huge variety of pets and owners, busy metro hospitals, and farm and ranch work across the valleys. UC Davis and the Western University of Health Sciences anchor a strong learning culture, and referral and 24-hour emergency hospitals serve every major metro area, so general practice veterinarians can grow their medicine with specialist support close by.
San Francisco Bay Area. Companion animal practice here is shaped by dense cities, highly engaged pet owners and a well-developed network of specialty and emergency hospitals, which keeps advanced diagnostics and referral options close at hand. Time off can mean the coastline, the redwoods or the trails of Marin and the East Bay hills.
Sacramento and the Central Valley. The state capital sits a short drive from Davis, home of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, while the valley to the south is one of the most productive farming regions in the world. Together they support suburban small animal practice alongside dairy, livestock and mixed animal work, with the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe within reach for weekends.
Greater Los Angeles and Orange County. One of the largest metro areas in the nation brings a vast mix of practices, from neighborhood clinics to multi-doctor hospitals with urgent care and emergency services, serving communities of every kind. Beaches, canyon trails and a celebrated food and arts scene fill the days off.
The Inland Empire. Riverside and San Bernardino counties are home to large suburban communities and plenty of family pets, which gives general practice a steady, varied rhythm. Mountain towns, desert landscapes and the wine country around Temecula are all close by.
San Diego. A mild climate all year and a strong outdoor culture shape life in San Diego, where companion animal practice serves coastal neighborhoods, inland suburbs and a large military community. Surfing, hiking and time on the water are part of the everyday routine for many locals.
Practicing in California requires a license from the California Veterinary Medical Board. Applicants typically need a DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited school, or completion of the ECFVG or PAVE program for graduates of non-accredited schools, along with a passing NAVLE score, fingerprint clearances and the board’s open-book Veterinary Law Examination on the state’s Practice Act. Graduates of UC Davis and Western University are exempt from the law exam. Once licensed, veterinarians complete 36 hours of approved continuing education every two years. Requirements are updated from time to time, so confirm the current details directly with the board.
Starting your license application early, alongside your job search, lets you begin work soon after a role is agreed. Before you sign, it pays to have your contract reviewed, particularly for leadership positions. If you trained outside the US, we also offer support for internationally trained vets.
Nationally, the median annual wage for veterinarians was $130,100 in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects employment of veterinarians to grow 9 percent between 2025 and 2035.
Our independent recruiters partner with practices throughout California, and working with us costs you nothing. You never sign an exclusivity agreement, so you stay free to explore every avenue open to you. We learn what matters to you, from caseload and schedule to mentorship and location, then match you with roles that fit and help you prepare your CV and interviews along the way. You can read more about how our recruiters work.
Our work extends beyond California’s borders too, with vet jobs in Oregon, vet jobs in Nevada and vet jobs in Arizona.
To talk through your plans with someone who knows veterinary hiring in California, speak with a recruiter.
