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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.
Veterinary medicine in Texas works at the scale of the state itself. Growing cities support busy small animal hospitals, around-the-clock emergency centers and specialty referral practices. Ranching communities keep equine, cattle and mixed practice at the heart of rural life. Vet jobs in Texas cover that whole range, so you can build a career around the medicine you enjoy in a setting that suits the way you want to live.
The state trains its own veterinarians too. The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in College Station and the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo give the profession deep local roots in teaching, research and continuing education.
Texas is too big to sum up in a handful of regions. These five are a starting point rather than the full picture.
Dallas-Fort Worth. The Metroplex stretches across dozens of suburbs, from Frisco and Plano to Arlington and Denton. That creates a large companion animal market served by general practices, emergency hospitals and specialty centers. Days off bring professional sports, a lively dining scene and lakes within easy reach.
Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast. One of the country’s most international cities pairs dense urban neighborhoods with growing communities such as Katy, Sugar Land and The Woodlands. Practices see a broad companion animal caseload, often with exotics in the mix. Life off the clock can mean the Museum District one weekend and Galveston Bay the next.
Austin and Central Texas. The capital and neighbors such as Round Rock, Georgetown and San Marcos form a fast-growing corridor with a strong mix of small animal general practice, emergency care and specialty referral. The Hill Country sits on the doorstep, with its rivers, lakes and live music.
San Antonio and South Texas. A city with deep Spanish and Mexican heritage and a large military community, San Antonio supports thriving small animal practice. The surrounding ranchland and the Rio Grande Valley keep mixed and large animal work close by, and the River Walk, historic missions and celebrated food culture make it a warm place to settle.
West Texas and the Panhandle. Around Amarillo and Lubbock, ranching, cattle feeding and dairy put food animal medicine front and center, alongside the small animal practices serving each city. El Paso adds a mountain backdrop and a bicultural border community, and wide skies and landmarks such as Palo Duro Canyon shape everyday life across the region.
To practice in the state you need a Texas license, issued by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. The broad components are graduation from an approved veterinary school (or ECFVG or PAVE certification for graduates of non-accredited schools), a passing NAVLE score and a passing score on the board’s jurisprudence exam covering Texas veterinary law. Requirements change from time to time, so confirm the current details with the board before you apply.
Texas has one of the country’s larger veterinary workforces. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2023, the state employed 5,660 veterinarians, with an annual mean wage of $129,830.
Licensing takes time, so starting your application well ahead of your planned start date keeps a move on track. Before signing an offer, it helps to understand non-compete clauses, production pay and CE allowances, and our guide to having your contract reviewed explains when a lawyer adds value. Veterinarians who trained outside the US can find support for vets trained abroad who are seeking a US role.
Sterling is a network of independent recruiters who work with practices across Texas. Our service is free for candidates, and you never sign an exclusivity contract, so you stay in control of your search. Our guide to how working with us works sets out what to expect, from the first conversation to CV and interview support.
We take time to understand the medicine you want to practice and the part of Texas you want to call home, then introduce you to practices that fit. Our tips for interviewing well help you present yourself confidently and assess each practice in return. For companion animal medicine, you can also explore our small animal vet jobs nationwide.
Texas shares borders, and plenty of veterinary common ground, with its neighbors. Our vet jobs in Oklahoma and vet jobs in Louisiana cover practices just across the state line.
When you are ready to talk through your options, speak to a recruiter and we will build your search around the career you want in Texas.
