SPVS are pleased to release the results of their 2025 Salary Survey. This much-anticipated, annual report gives detailed information on remuneration levels and is the only one of its kind providing an invaluable benchmark to all those working in the veterinary sector. It covers everything from basic earnings, bonuses, dividends and overtime, to benefits such as accommodation, car allowances and pensions.
SPVS members will receive the full version plus there is a Nurses Salary Survey and Highlights summary report available too.
This year SPVS had over 1600 responses for their 2025 salary survey running from February to May 2025. 81% of these were female and 18% males. The majority of responses came from either veterinary surgeons (72%) or vet nurses (22%).
Main points to note:
• New graduate median BASIC starting salary has increased by only 3% this year to £35,000
•For all vets working full time the median annual salary PACKAGE (including all benefits) has increased by only 2.2% to £58,277. The largest increase was in the Southeast of England at 7%
• The overall median hourly rate package for vets working both full and part time has increased by 9%
• 34% of vets and 47% of nurses that responded were in a position of leadership
• All QVN salary packages increased by only 5% compared to last year and student increases were negligible
• For locums vets the daily rate increased by 11% to £500. Hourly rates stayed the same at £50. For locum nurses the hourly rate increased by 4% to £25/hour.
• Yet again, for all periods qualified, the salaries and hourly rates for females were lower than males (ranged from 3% to 23% variance)
• Overtime has increased (65% of vets compared to 44% last year and 65% of nurses compared to 39% last year)
• More vets are working out of hours and weekend work alongside their regular daytime work. 74% work Saturdays compared to 47% last year, 44% work Sundays compared to 27% last year. For out of hours, 37% of vets work OOH in the week compared to 20% last year and 35% work weekend OOH compared to 19% last year.
Conclusions
Salary increases have slowed down for all vets and nurses all ages qualified and in all positions of responsibility, reflecting the uncertain market currently. Locum rates have also slowed as recruitment is slowly becoming less of a problem and there is a move towards permanent positions being more favourable.
The overtime and out of hours work has increased significantly which may be relating to new start ups doing their own out of hours and a shift with some practices being fully staffed now and able to take back their own out of hours. This is a positive move for both clients and staff especially with regards to continuity of care.
As ever, SPVS are very grateful for everyone that took the time to fill in the survey. We hope it provides an up to date benchmark tool to be used in practice as part of responsible leadership for employers and as valuable information to employees.
SPVS members have access to the full Salary Survey via the SPVS website
For more information about SPVS, becoming a member and other member benefits click here.