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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.
Minnesota’s veterinary community covers a wide range of work. It includes busy suburban small animal hospitals, feline and exotics practices, mixed animal clinics in farm towns, and food animal medicine that supports one of the Midwest’s great agricultural economies. The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul gives the state a strong professional hub, and vet jobs in Minnesota take in companion animal care, livestock medicine and plenty in between.
Four distinct seasons shape the rhythm of the year here, from lakeside summers to crisp, bright winters. Clients value long relationships with their veterinary teams, whether they are bringing in a family dog in a Minneapolis suburb or calling out a vet to a dairy herd in the countryside.
The five regions below give a sense of the variety across the state, which has many more communities with their own character.
Twin Cities metro. Minneapolis, St. Paul and their suburbs hold the state’s greatest concentration of general practice, emergency and specialty referral hospitals, with a strongly companion animal caseload. Life here brings chains of city lakes, extensive parks and trails, a lively arts and dining scene and major league sports.
Southeastern Minnesota. Rochester and the river towns along the Mississippi support small animal and mixed practices, with dairy and livestock farms across the surrounding countryside. The region’s bluff country, wooded valleys and bike trails make it a favorite for outdoor weekends.
Southern and southwestern Minnesota. Around Mankato and across the prairie, mixed and food animal veterinarians work with swine, poultry, dairy and beef operations alongside companion animal clients in close-knit small towns. Veterinarians are well-known, valued figures in these communities.
Central Minnesota. St. Cloud and the surrounding lakes country combine companion animal practice with rural and hobby-farm clients. Cabin culture, fishing and boating are a big part of everyday life.
Northern Minnesota. Duluth, the Iron Range and the North Shore of Lake Superior are home to community practices serving pet owners and outdoor-loving families. Deep forests, the Boundary Waters and the Lake Superior shoreline sit right on the doorstep.
To practice here you need a Minnesota license issued by the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine. The board’s first license application guidance sets out the main components. You need a DVM from an AVMA-accredited college, or ECFVG or PAVE certification if you graduated from a non-accredited school. You also need a passing NAVLE score, the Minnesota jurisprudence exam and a fingerprint-based criminal background check. You cannot begin practicing until the board issues your license, and requirements and fees can change, so confirm the current details with the board before you apply.
Because licensing takes time, it helps to start your application well before your intended start date. Plan your notice period and relocation around the board’s timeline. If you trained outside the US, our information on support for international vets explains how we help with the move into US practice.
Minnesota has a sizable veterinary workforce. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for May 2023, around 1,830 veterinarians were employed in the state, with an annual mean wage of $110,120 (a figure that excludes self-employed practice owners). Pay packages vary with the role, setting and benefits. Before you sign, it is worth understanding every clause, and our guide to having your contract reviewed covers when legal advice makes sense.
Sterling’s independent recruiters work with practices across Minnesota, from metro hospitals to rural clinics. Our service is free for candidates, and you never sign an exclusivity contract, so you stay in full control of your search. We take time to understand your caseload interests, schedule and location, then introduce you to practices that match. Our candidate FAQ explains how the process works, including the CV and interview support we provide. Our practical interview tips help you present yourself well and assess each practice in return.
Many veterinarians also look across the border, and our vet jobs in Wisconsin and veterinary roles in Iowa cover neighboring states with a similar Upper Midwest character. Companion animal clinicians can also explore our general practice veterinarian jobs nationwide. When you are ready to talk through your plans, speak with a Sterling recruiter.
