Veterinary nurses: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time veterinary nurses in the UK earned a median £28,893 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 26% less than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
It is in the lowest-paid third of the 382 occupations (84th from the bottom).
Median full-time pay: women £29,093 a year, men £27,032 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 16,000 employee jobs, 81% full-time.
Since 2021 the median has risen 32.4% (from £21,827), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 26,600 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | – | – | – | – | £360.60* | £13.36 |
| 20th percentile | £24,844 | £537.70 | £14.45 | £19,131* | £462.70 | £14.64 |
| 25th percentile | £25,190 | £547.80 | £14.73 | £21,118* | £510.10 | £14.85 |
| 30th percentile | £25,626 | £571.80 | £14.93 | £23,259* | £523.90 | £15.08 |
| 40th percentile | £26,964 | £596.60 | £15.48 | £25,206 | £548.00 | £15.39 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £28,893 | £623.00 | £16.23 | £26,666 | £593.50 | £16.22 |
| 60th percentile | £29,853 | £641.40 | £16.93 | £29,071 | £622.40 | £17.02 |
| 70th percentile | £31,869 | £676.50 | £17.69 | £30,460 | £647.20 | £17.66 |
| 75th percentile | – | £709.50 | £18.88* | £32,114 | £667.00 | £18.53 |
| Mean | £28,771 | £638.00 | £16.81 | £26,280 | £579.10 | £16.82 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £21,827 | £461.40 | £11.65 | £18,909 | £427.60 | 30* |
| 2022 revised | £23,945 | £477.40 | £12.39 | £20,472 | £451.00 | 15* |
| 2023 revised | £24,030 | £498.20 | £12.89 | £22,673 | £453.40 | 17* |
| 2024 revised | £25,883 | £555.00 | £14.48 | £23,710 | £511.60 | 22* |
| 2025 provisional | £28,893 | £623.00 | £16.23 | £26,666 | £593.50 | 16* |
Veterinary nurses by region
UK: 26,600 (± 6,300), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What veterinary nurses do
Veterinary nurses assist veterinarians in the treatment and care of sick or injured animals. (ONS SOC 2020, 3240)
Also covers: animal nurse, veterinary nurse, canine nurse and equine veterinary nurse.
- Assists the veterinary surgeon during surgical and medical treatments of animals
- Prepares operating theatre, sterilises equipment and assists in theatre as required
- Dispenses and administers medication and applies dressings to animals under direction from the veterinarian
- Handles animals during treatment
- Collects and analyses blood, urine and other samples
- Cares for animals in hospital accommodation and keeps accurate records
Entrants require GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent qualification. Entrants must obtain employment at an approved veterinary practice to gain practical experience and tuition with an employer for a minimum duration of two years. Candidates must also pass professional examinations before qualifying as a veterinary nurse.
Related
Veterinary nurses (median £28,893) · Early education and childcare practitioners · Higher level teaching assistants · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026