The Empire State is a great place for relief vets. Opportunities are available for relief vets in New York City and in the rest of the state as well. The types of patients you’ll see may vary depending on where you’re located. 

Becoming a Relief Vet in New York

The bright lights of the big city also offer an interesting salary for vets, and the rural nature of Upstate New York has great appeal for those who prefer a little space. Whether you take advantage of the Big Apple or not, getting started in as a New York relief vet is pretty straightforward.

Licensing

Veterinary licensing in New York State costs $372. NAVLE is required, but state boards are not. If you are applying with licenses from other states, you have to send those licenses with your application, which is standard practice. You may also have to send along your undergraduate transcripts, which is unique to New York. You do not need a separate license to practice as a veterinarian in New York City.

Salary

New York’s average veterinary salary was $151,100 in 2023. That places it squarely in the middle of its neighbors and 26% above the 2023 national average of $119,100. 

State	Avg Salary	Tax Rate	Net Annual
Massachusetts	$162,030	5.00%	$153,929
New Jersey	$153,630	6.37%	$143,844
New York	$151,100	6.00%	$142,034
Connecticut	$139,230	6.00%	$130,876
Vermont	$123,052	7.60%	$113,700
Pennsylvania	$123,000	3.07%	$119,224

Inside the state, there’s a significant pay discrepancy based on location and population density. The gross salary is highest for the New York City metro area, at over $160k annual salary. Binghamton and the Central East areas are the lowest-paid areas, with salaries under $120k.

Local Veterinary Issues

Here are a few animal-related issues that relief veterinarians in New York should be aware of:

• Arboviruses
• Rabies
• Animal abuse or mistreatment
• Hot weather issues

Buoy’s Law, which requires veterinarians to list potential side-effects of prescribed drugs, went into effect in 2024. This new law is very important for relief veterinarians in New York state to be aware of. 

Notes for Relief Vets in New York City

If you’re planning on doing significant relief work in NYC, you may want to consider the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City.The association has a regular newsletter and hosts in-person continuing education sessions as well as mixers.

New York City has a microchipping law. All pets must be microchipped with their owner’s information upon acquisition. Relief vets in New York City should be aware of this before they send home a new kitten or puppy with an owner. 

Additionally, guinea pigs are no longer allowed to be sold in pet stores. They can still be adopted through shelters. A New York City relief vet will see fewer and fewer of these pets.

Finally, certain animals are not allowed to be pets in NYC. Most of the list of barred animals are not your average pet anyways, but there are a few interesting inclusions, like ferrets, tarantulas, and iguanas. This means you’re much less likely to be working with exotic pets in your daily practice.

Balancing Work and Relaxation in New York