Median salary package for vets in 2025 has only increased by 2.2 percent according to new SPVS salary survey

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 1,600 responses for their 2025 salary survey running from February to May 2025. 81 percent of these were female and 18 percent male. The majority of responses came from either veterinary surgeons (72 percent) or vet nurses (22 percent).

Key points from the 2025 survey:

• New graduate median basic starting salary has increased by only 3 percent 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 percent to £58,277. The largest increase was in the Southeast of England at 7 percent
• The overall median hourly rate package for vets working both full and part time has increased by 9 percent
• Thirty-four percent of vets and 47 percent of nurses that responded were in a position of leadership
• All QVN salary packages increased by only 5 percent compared to last year and student increases were negligible
• For locum vets, the daily rate increased by 11 percent to £500. Hourly rates stayed the same at £50. For locum nurses, the hourly rate increased by 4 percent to £25/hour
• Yet again, for all periods qualified, the salaries and hourly rates for females were lower than males (ranged from 3 percent to 23 percent variance)
• Overtime has increased (65 percent of vets compared to 44 percent last year, and 65 percent of nurses compared to 39 percent last year)
• More vets are working out of hours and weekend work alongside their regular daytime work. Seventy-four percent work Saturdays compared to 47 percent last year, 44 percent work Sundays compared to 27 percent last year. For out of hours (OOH), 37 percent of vets work OOH in the week compared to 20 percent last year, and 35 percent work weekend OOH compared to 19 percent last year.

Conclusions

Salary increases have slowed down for all vets and nurses of all ages, qualifications 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.

SPVS members have access to the full salary survey via the SPVS website. You can find more information about SPVS, how to become a member and other member benefits here.