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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.
Illinois runs nearly 400 miles from the Wisconsin line down to where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi, and veterinary work changes with the landscape along the way. Busy companion animal hospitals fill Chicago and its suburbs. Mixed practices serve the farms of the central prairie. Community clinics look after the river towns and wooded hills of the south. Vet jobs in Illinois cover that whole range, from high-volume small animal medicine to emergency, specialty and rural mixed-animal care.
The state is also home to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. It gives the profession here a strong academic anchor, with a teaching hospital, continuing education and a close link to each new graduating class.
Illinois has many distinct areas. These five show how varied the work can be.
Chicago and the collar counties. Chicago, together with DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, holds the state’s largest concentration of companion animal hospitals, alongside 24-hour emergency and specialty centers. Caseloads are full and varied, and many clients are closely involved in their pets’ care. Our small animal vet roles are well suited to this region. Away from work, you have the lakefront parks, lively city neighborhoods and relaxed suburban towns along the Fox River.
Rockford and northern Illinois. Rockford and the rolling farmland toward Wisconsin support small animal and mixed practices that serve city households and rural clients alike. The pace of life is relaxed, and the Rock River runs through the heart of the region.
Central Illinois. Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal and Champaign-Urbana sit among some of the most productive corn and soybean land in the country. City practices focus on companion animals, and practices in the surrounding counties often see cattle and swine as well. The state capital, the Illinois River valley and two university towns give the region a strong sense of community.
The Quad Cities and western Illinois. Rock Island and Moline face Iowa across the Mississippi. Practices here serve a riverfront metro area as well as the farming communities around it, and the river towns have a friendly, settled character.
Southern Illinois. From Carbondale to the Shawnee National Forest, southern Illinois pairs close-knit towns with bluffs, lakes and trails. Companion and mixed-animal practices are a central part of community life. The Metro East communities near St. Louis add a suburban setting on the Mississippi.
Every veterinarian practicing in Illinois needs a state license. Licenses are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). There is a route by examination for new graduates taking the NAVLE, and a route by endorsement for vets already licensed in another state. A separate Illinois veterinary controlled substance license is required to handle controlled drugs, alongside federal DEA registration. Requirements and processing times can change, so confirm the current details with the IDFPR veterinary licensing page before you plan your move.
Starting your license application early means your start date isn’t held up by paperwork, especially if you are relocating from another state. It also pays to read your offer carefully before you sign. Our guide on having your contract reviewed explains what to look for. If you trained outside the US, graduates of schools without AVMA accreditation typically complete the ECFVG or PAVE certification program first. Our page on support for international vets covers the wider picture.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for May 2023, Illinois employed 2,540 salaried veterinarians, with an annual mean wage of $118,040.
Sterling is a network of independent recruiters who work with practices across Illinois, from downtown Chicago to small towns in the south. Our service is free for candidates, and you never sign an exclusivity contract, so you stay in control of your search. Our candidate FAQs explain how the process works, including the help we give with your CV and interview preparation. When a conversation turns into an interview, our practical interview tips will help you present your experience well and learn what you need to know about the practice.
Many vets also look across state lines. Our vet jobs in Wisconsin cover the lakes and dairy country to the north, and our Missouri veterinary roles extend west from St. Louis across the Mississippi.
To talk about your next move in Illinois, speak with a Sterling recruiter. We’ll match you with roles based on what matters to you.
