Veterinary Surgeon Salary 2026/27: SPVS + BVA Pay Survey
UK vets are MRCVS-registered surgeons. The 2025 SPVS Salary Survey put the median full-time package (including benefits) at £58,277 - up 2.2% on 2024. BVA 2024 survey put median base at £50,000. Newly qualified vets earn £37,000-£45,000; mid-career (10-20 yrs) approximately £60,000; 20+ years £74,200. Locum vets command £500/day.
Typical pay & take-home
- Median gross
- £58,277
- Typical range
- £37,000–£100,000
- Take-home at median
- £44,358
England, no pension applied — use the salary calculator for your scheme.
At the median for this profession, you earn about 49% above the UK full-time median (£39,039), placing you in the top 22% of UK earners.
What influences veterinary surgeon (mrcvs) pay
Vet pay is heavily influenced by sector. Corporate-chain employed vets (CVS, IVC Evidensia, Linnaeus, Pets at Home) typically sit on PAYE between £45,000-£80,000 with structured progression and benefits packages (private healthcare, gym, CPD allowance £3-£5k/yr). Independent practice vets sometimes earn slightly less in base but receive practice-share dividends.
Specialisation drives the largest premium. RCVS Recognised Specialists (orthopaedics, oncology, cardiology, dermatology) command £80,000-£150,000 base. Equine surgeons at racing yards £75,000-£120,000. Mixed-practice rural vets typically £45,000-£60,000 base + practice profit-share.
Locum vets earn £450-£550/day, with day rates rising 11% in 2025 due to UK vet shortage. A full-time locum (220 working days/yr × £500) grosses £110,000 - but as self-employed with no pension, no sick pay, and required RCVS / VDS indemnity, the effective net premium over PAYE is only £15,000-£25,000.
Career progression
- New Graduate Vet (year 1): £37,000-£45,000.
- Vet 2-4 yrs post-qualification: £45,000-£55,000.
- Vet 5-10 yrs (BVA/SPVS median): £58,277.
- Vet 10-20 yrs: £55,000-£70,000.
- Vet 20+ yrs: £65,000-£80,000.
- RCVS Specialist / Diplomate: £80,000-£150,000.
- Locum vet (full-time): £100,000-£120,000 gross.
Frequently asked questions
- What is take-home for a £58,277 SPVS-median vet?
- On £58,277 gross with 5% workplace pension, take-home is approximately £41,800/year (about £3,480/month) after Income Tax (20% basic + 40% on £8,007 above £50,270), NI (8% main + 2% upper), and pension. The £58,277 sits about £8,000 above the 40% threshold so all overtime / on-call is taxed at the higher marginal rate.
- Why are UK vets in shortage despite £50k+ pay?
- The UK vet workforce shrank by approximately 8-12% net since Brexit (2017-2024 RCVS data) as EEA-trained vets exited the UK register. Demand expanded simultaneously (pet ownership up 25% post-COVID). Average vet experience working hours have stayed flat at 41-43 hours/week, but practices cannot fully cover demand - hence the 11% locum rate rise in 2025 and the ongoing immigration salary list inclusion for vets.
- Locum vet vs employed - which nets more?
- Employed at £58,277 nets approximately £41,800/year after IT + NI + pension. Locum at £500/day × 220 days = £110,000 gross self-employed = approximately £74,500 net after Class 4 NI (6%/2%), Income Tax, indemnity (£2,000+), CPD costs, accountant. Locum nets approximately £32,000/year more than employed equivalent - but builds no employer pension contribution, no sick pay, no holiday pay, no CPD funding. Most vets locum 2-3 years then return to PAYE.