Select your location from the dropdown menu to apply the filter.
We’ll hand-match roles based on what matters to you.
We’ll hand-match roles based on what matters to you.
Washington stretches from the saltwater inlets of Puget Sound to the rolling wheat country of the Palouse, and its veterinary medicine is just as varied. Vet jobs in Washington take in busy companion animal hospitals in fast-growing suburbs, mixed and equine practice in the farming valleys east of the Cascades, and emergency and referral medicine in the larger metro areas.
The state also has a strong veterinary community of its own, anchored by Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman. That tradition of veterinary education and continuing learning shapes a professional culture that values clinical skill, mentorship and high standards of care.
The regions below are some of the state’s main veterinary communities, though many other towns and valleys have their own well-established practices.
Puget Sound is home to Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue and Olympia, and has the state’s largest concentration of companion animal owners. Small animal general practice sits alongside emergency, specialty and referral hospitals, so clinicians have colleagues across many disciplines close at hand. Away from work, you have ferries, island getaways and quick access to both the Cascade and Olympic mountains.
Southwest Washington, centered on Vancouver and Clark County, is part of the greater Portland metro area across the Columbia River. Its growing residential communities support suburban small animal practice. The Columbia River Gorge and the foothills of the Cascades are an easy drive away.
Central Washington, including the Yakima Valley, Wenatchee and Ellensburg, is orchard, vineyard and ranch country. Practices here often combine companion animal care with equine and livestock work, which brings a wide and rewarding caseload. The region sits on the sunnier, drier side of the Cascades, with outdoor recreation in every season.
The Tri-Cities of Richland, Kennewick and Pasco sit where the Columbia, Snake and Yakima rivers meet. Their family-oriented communities keep companion animal hospitals busy, while the surrounding agricultural land adds large animal and mixed practice. Life here centers on the rivers, wine country and a relaxed pace.
Spokane and the Inland Northwest make up the state’s second-largest metro area, with established small animal hospitals and a close-knit professional network. Nearby lakes, forests and the Palouse, along with the veterinary college in Pullman, give the region a distinctive character.
You need a Washington veterinary license to practice in the state. The Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors regulates the profession, and the Washington State Department of Health processes license applications. According to the Department of Health licensing requirements, applicants need a degree from an AVMA-accredited school and a passing score on the NAVLE. You also have to arrange verification from every state where you hold or have held a credential. Graduates of non-accredited schools complete the ECFVG or PAVE program, and we also offer support for internationally trained vets. Requirements can change, so confirm the current details with the Department of Health before you apply.
The NAVLE is held twice a year, and each state that verifies your credentials sends its form directly to the department. For that reason, it pays to start the licensing process well before your intended start date. Before you sign, it is also worth having your contract reviewed so that terms such as non-compete clauses, production pay and benefits are clear.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2023, Washington employed an estimated 2,040 veterinarians, with an annual mean wage of $140,510. These figures do not include self-employed practice owners.
Our recruiters work with practices across the state, from Puget Sound to the Inland Northwest. We can tell you about a hospital’s culture, caseload and schedule before you commit to an interview. We place veterinarians in permanent full-time, part-time and flexible roles, including general practice veterinarian roles. Our service is free for candidates, and you never sign an exclusivity contract. You can read how working with us works, get guidance on choosing between a CV and résumé, and prepare with our interview tips.
Washington also shares the Columbia River and much of its Pacific Northwest character with its southern neighbor, and our vet jobs in Oregon cover that side of the river.
To talk through vet jobs in Washington with someone who knows the state’s practices, speak with a recruiter today.
