Description

2026 New Associate DVM Compensation Summary 
 
Full Time Position 
Base Compensation - $125,000 per year (approximately $4,808.00 per biweekly pay period) for an average of 36-40 hours per week. Salary may be adjusted for permanent, but part time positions. Extra shifts may be elected with compensation as outlined below. 
 
Schedule- Scheduling of Surgery and Appointments including time for callbacks, completing medical records, and research of cases will be approximately 34-40 per week. Scheduling and surgery will be modified as needed to ensure everyone gets out at a reasonable time. A certain degree of flexibility is expected to ensure all team members are cared for. We do expect that callbacks and medical records will be completed in a timely manner. Medical records should be completed within 24 hours. 
 
Expected Production of Revenue for Compensation - For the experienced veterinarian, the national average for compensation is approximately 20-22.5% of Revenue Produced. For an Annual Salary of $125,000, the Annual Revenue for Services to be produced is between $555,556 and $625,000 per year. This is a goal, but not a firm line in our practice. The value of enthusiasm, team spirit, innovation, customer service, and adherence to Core Values are as much if not of greater value than dollars produced (within reason). Production compensation does not include revenue generated for Emergency Exams (paid separately), pet foods or prescription diets, medication refills, flea/tick/heartworm products, cremation services, and/or services provided by technicians without direct veterinary oversight. We hope that our broad and accommodating guidelines make up for any petty or transactional gaming of our compensation system. 
 
Team Based Medicine- The Arlington Animal Hospital practices team-based medicine, meaning we maintain a high degree of support and assistance between veterinarians and staff. This support includes appointment consultations, reviewing x-rays and lab results, schedule flexibility, surgical assistance, case transfer, and/or referral based on our team's ability to provide outstanding medicine as well as individual strengths within the practice. No one is left to practice alone or in isolation as collaboration, flexibility, emotional/profession support benefit all of us. While we do follow individual production, we also follow team spirit, adherence to Core Values, mentoring, and community or professional outreach with similar, if not more enthusiasm. 
 
Mentoring Program – The Arlington Animal Hospital has a written mentoring program that outlines many of the areas of medicine and customer service vital to a long and successful career in veterinary medicine. Our team-based medicine approach overlaps with traditional mentoring programs and is likely of equal if not greater value to the busy associate. While the case discussions at the end of the day are of value, the commitment to set aside time to slow down, review the important facets of the day, and help each other build knowledge, experience, and confidence are perhaps the greatest creators of value. Despite being new to the practice, you, in turn, will help mentor and provide guidance to the many students and young people in or visiting our practice. It is a two-way relationship.  
 
Spires of Excellence – Be good at everything, but great in 1-2 things (areas of personal interest) and grow that passion like a spire above the treetops. We encourage you to identify and pursue further education/skills in 1-2 areas of veterinary medicine that stimulate your passion or interests. This may include such fields as cardiology, exotics, endoscopy, etc with the hope that you will become the in-hospital go-to person or community/region expert simply by pursuing an interest and rising like a spire above the rest. Becoming a local leader is mentally stimulating, professional rewarding, and fun. It may also be financially rewarding. 
 
After Hours Emergency Compensation - Compensation is $150 per after-hour emergency. Emergency services are not required of the new associate. However, if after-hours care is provided, you are entitled to additional compensation. Emergency compensation does not include urgent care cases seen during regular hospital hours, although such services provided are included in production compensation. After-Hours Emergency Compensation requires written documentation provided to the practice manager to ensure timely reimbursement and is paid in the following pay period. 
 
Additional Shift Compensation - Compensation is $100 bonus per 4-hour shift or $150 per 8-hour shift unless the shift is traded for comparable time off is provided for additional coverage provided if Dr. Baum is away or such covered would benefit the practice and its patients. Such situations include when Dr. Baum is out of town, Dr. Baum is performing an emergency surgery, or similar procedure and is not available for routine appointments. Production for services is included as outlined above. An additional Shift Bonus is paid on the first pay period of the following month. 

• Vacation and Sick/Personal Days- 
  Paid Vacation is 120 hours per year (3 weeks) with 45 days of notification to enable appropriate staffing changes. 50% of unused vacation time may be carried over to the following year with prior approval. Vacation hours are accumulated over the course of the year and have no cash value.

• Longevity Bonus - One and one-half Days of Vacation (12 hours) is provided for every 3 years of employment, assuming an average 36-40-hour work week up to 36-40 hours.

• Sick Days – 60 hours of paid Sick or Personal time assuming a 40-hour work week (1.5 weeks). Unpaid leave of absence may be granted for up to 12 weeks. 
   
  Additional Benefits. 
• AVMA Professional Liability/Malpractice/License Defense Insurance will be paid by practice.
• Membership to AVMA and Vermont VMA. Active participation in leadership roles in either organization is recommended for which we may accommodate scheduling and stipend for travel/meals where appropriate.
• Subscriptions to Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and ScribbleVet for medical record completion will be provided by the practice.
• The associate veterinarian must maintain professional license and DEA license eligibility, although practice will pay for DEA license.
• Observed Paid Holidays – New Years, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Other personal or religious holidays may be discussed, granted, or exchanged as appropriate. For associates participating in the On-Call Rotation, Emergency coverage provided on a holiday then entitles the associate both After Hours Emergency Compensation as well as additional day off in exchange.
• Continuing Education – Continuing Education Meetings should be fun, educational, and professionally stimulating. The more diverse programs often require travel and/or financial investment, which can be expensive. We try to be flexible with CE costs and travel particularly for the individual that remains very committed to our practice, our long-term goals, and Core Values.
  • Vermont State VMA meetings can be very good and cost effective as no flights are required. These speakers can be awesome.
  • New England VMA (Portland, Maine) and National Meeting (VMX, AAHA, etc) may have a greater variety of speakers, but there are costs and time for travel.
  • International Meetings (IVS) can be awesome and both mentally and personally stimulating. 

CE Time and Cost Reimbursement to be determined based on meeting/location, value to hospital (Spire of Excellence-see below).  For the associate veterinarian exceeding expectations (excellent production, team spirit, and promotion of Core Values), an acceleration of this schedule may be considered.

• • Year One – Hotel and Registration for Vermont VMA in Burlington plus a stipend for meals.
  • Year Two – Hotel, Registration, Travel, and stipend for meals to Regional and/or State VMA meetings depending on topics.
  • Year Three - National (VMX, AAHA, ACVIM, etc), Internation (IVS, other), and/or VMG meetings based on commitment to hospital growth, customer service, and core values. Such meetings may be coordinated with one’s vacation time. 

• • Typical reimbursement for National Meetings may include: 
    • Conference Registration $250 -$750.
    • Paid Time Away – 5-7 days.
    • Flights = $750-1250.
    • Hotel = $1250- $1600.
    • Uber/Airport Parking = $100-200.
    • Stipend for Meals =$250 - $600.

• S-IRA Retirement Plan – Our retirement plan is arranged through Merrill Lynch in Manchester, Vermont with Pre-Tax donation by you with dollar-for-dollar match of up to 3% of salary/compensation.
• Health Insurance Reimbursement through ICHRA Tax Free Health Insurance Reimbursement Policy of $500/month. Through this hospital program, the associate may select the Health Insurance of their choice (through BlueCross/BlueShield or MVP) with the same tax-deductible reimbursement as a hospital-directed plan. The increased flexibility as to the insurance provider and plan selection are preferred by most participants. 
   
  Other Opportunities.
• Urgent Care and Emergency Coverage -When the new associate is feeling comfortable with general medicine and surgery, they will have the opportunity to participate in the on-call schedule which is both professionally and financially rewarding. After-hour calls are restricted to our own clients as we are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. On-Call Rotation is shared with Green Mountain and West Mountain Animal Hospitals (and their clients) with compensation at the Emergency Teir of compensation ($150 per night of on-call and an additional $150 for each call seen in the hospital). A veterinary assistant/technician is always assigned to the veterinarian on-call, so two people are always in the building. Coverage may be terminated at 10 pm if desired and calls transferred to the emergency hospital in Latham, NY. Services are normally limited to urgent care cases (porcupine quills, vomiting, simple lacerations, etc.) with major surgery, overnight hospitalization, or more advanced care to be directed to emergency clinics if or as desired. Rotation is shared with Dr. Baum, who will also be available either directly or via cell phone as needed.

• Profit Sharing and Buy-In Potential. The Leadership Team of Arlington Animal Hospital sees the opportunity for tremendous growth of certain services and as well as expansion geographically in Southern Vermont. For the right and interested individual, we are happy to explore ownership, buy-in, and profit-sharing opportunities with the hope of promoting, expanding, or transferring hospital ownership to a new partner within the private sector someday. Such opportunities would include further business education and training to help build financial and leadership acumen.

• No Clause of Non-Competition. Our objective is to make life and practice fun, stimulating, and profitable so that you would never want to practice anyplace else. We do hold our bar of expectation very high, but we are also very comfortable with our style of practice and commitment to our associates and our team. As a result, no restriction or clause of competition has ever been required of any team members. Should you wish to move on from our team and for the right individual, we would certainly entertain a discussion as to how we may get you established as an owner in a new practice of your own.

• Work-Life-Pursuit of Passion Economy. An economy is the allocation of scarce resources, and no resource is as valuable as your personal or family's time. Life is the stuff we all have to do outside of work. Grocery shopping, laundry, car repairs, etc. But passions are hobbies and/or other personal interests that help stimulate the mind, refresh the spirit, and nurture the soul. For some, it is riding horses or hiking in the forests. For others, it is time on their family farm or international travel. Part of our team spirit is to ensure each of us has a passion and time to pursue our passions to whatever degree possible to keep us mentally fresh, physically healthy, and spiritually alive. 

Requirements

Applicant must have an active veterinary license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Vermont. The successful candidate will have an active interests in small animal medicine, customer service, and a vibrant team spirit.