Earn $75-$185/hr
High pay rates in the nation's capital with DMV metro access.
FlexVet rates are typically higher than the local average. You set your rate, we match you with clinics willing to pay it.
General Practice
$75-$125
Per hour for GP relief shifts
Specialty / ER
$150-$185
Per hour for specialty/ER shifts
Payment Speed
Weekly Payment
Payments by direct deposit
From signup to your first shift in under a week
Fill out a quick form. We'll ask about your availability, preferred shift types, and where you're licensed.
Our team finds clinics that fit your preferences and schedule. No algorithms, no bidding. A real person matching you.
Show up, do what you do best, and take care of animals. We handle the logistics and paperwork.
Weekly direct deposits. No chasing invoices, no net-30 waiting.
D.C. proper is compact, but the surrounding DMV is massive. Bethesda and Chevy Chase (MD), Arlington and McLean (VA), and the District all have thriving vet practices. The clientele is affluent, educated, and pet-focused.
High Earning Potential - D.C. metro clinics consistently pay above national averages.
Affluent Clientele - Georgetown, Bethesda, and Arlington pet owners invest in premium care.
Cultural Access - Museums, restaurants, and city life that rival any metro in the country.
D.C. is where I earn the most per shift on the East Coast. Three licenses, never run out of options.
Fill out the form and our team will reach out within 24 hours to get you set up. No obligations, no pressure. Just a conversation about what you're looking for.
Get Started in 2 Minutes
Washington, D.C. is our home base in District of Columbia. Browse every FlexVet market.
State Licensing
D.C. requires NAVLE passage. Apply through the DC Board of Veterinary Medicine. CE: 24 hours biennially. Many DVMs here also hold MD and VA licenses. For a full directory of state veterinary regulatory boards, visit avma.org/education/ecfvg/state-veterinary-regulatory-boards.
Everything you need to know before your first shift in District of Columbia.
GP shifts pay $75-$125/hr. Specialty and ER runs $150-$185/hr. Bethesda, McLean, Georgetown at the high end.
For the full market, most relief DVMs hold D.C., MD, and VA licenses. FlexVet can help coordinate the process. For a full list of state veterinary boards, visit avma.org/education/ecfvg/state-veterinary-regulatory-boards.
A relief veterinarian - sometimes called a locum vet - is a licensed DVM who works short-term shifts at veterinary clinics on a flexible, contract-free basis rather than as a permanent employee.
No, there are no long-term contracts or minimum shift requirements. You can work as much or as little as you choose.
Relief veterinarians partner with clinics as independent contractors (1099), not employees. That independence is the point: there are no non-compete restrictions, so you can work with any clinic, anywhere you're licensed, and your FlexVet account manager helps you build the clinic mix and schedule that fit your goals. Because taxes aren't withheld from your payouts, plan on setting aside a portion for quarterly estimates - our relief vet tax guide walks through deductions, estimated payments, and how relief vets keep more of what they earn.
Plan on carrying your own professional liability policy - it follows you to every clinic you serve instead of depending on what each hospital's coverage does or doesn't include, and annual premiums are modest relative to relief earnings. Your account manager can tell you what clinics in your market expect from relief doctors. Our relief vet liability guide and insurance guide break down the options and costs.
Joining FlexVet is free and takes a few minutes. From there you'll work with a dedicated account manager - a real person who knows your market - who'll share the details on specific clinics before you commit: production expectations, the support you'll have in the building, and the schedule. You'll need an active state license and your own DEA registration; with those in hand, most vets are picking up shifts within days, and you're paid weekly by direct deposit.
Join hundreds of DVMs earning more with FlexVet. No fees, no contracts, no hassle.
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