AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich reviews some of the survey results available on the AABP website. Find all survey results under the Member Resources tab of the AABP website or directly at this link.  

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AABP administers a survey to graduating seniors to collect data on their job, debt, and obstacles they experience in job seeking since 2018 with an average response rate of 152 per year. In 2025, the average starting salary was $91,500 and 40% of respondents reported incomes over $100,000. The average debt reported was $150,431 with 17% reporting no debt. Of those reporting debt, the average debt was $180,000.  

Respondents also report their obstacles or challenges to accepting a job offer with salary/compensation being the number one challenge (45%) 28% reporting poor work environment/human resources issues, 15% hours of work required and 12% gender or other bias. 

AABP also has administered surveys asking what type of community members spent the majority of their childhood, with 630 responses. 70% of members reported growing up in a rural area, 25% suburban and 5% urban. This report is consistent across all graduation years including the 2025 graduating seniors.  

Gingrich also reviews the results of the survey administered by the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee with 493 respondents. Highlights of this survey indicated that 57% identified mental health as important or very important, 40% have sought mental health therapy, 30% have sought  guidance from a religious leader, 85% discuss stressors with family members and 45% discuss with work colleagues.  

Gingrich invites members to consider joining a committee that interests them by going to the committee menu on the AABP website and submitting a brief bio to join. He also discusses other member resources including AABP-L, practice management workshops, online recordings of conference sessions and webinars, webinars and seminars.  The 2026 Recent Graduate conference is also open for registration! Find out more information at this link. Open access to AABP publications is also available from the Publications menu of the AABP website. Specific articles of interest referencing improving recruitment and retention of bovine or mixed animal veterinarians are below:

Factors influencing job and career satisfaction in veterinarians 10 years or fewer from graduation

A mixed-method pilot study investigating challenges experienced by mixed animal veterinarians in practice and their private practice experiences prior to graduation

Factors influencing administrative personnel and veterinarian turnover and compensation packages in rural mixed-animal practices over a 5-year period

Incomes and satisfaction among bovine focused veterinary practitioners in the United States and Canada