THE Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has published its annual Salary Survey, which provides a guide to what full time assistants are now earning. 

The survey, which asked the society's members and anyone on the RCVS Register qualified for under three years to provide details about employees' salary levels, uniquely provides a breakdown of what full-time assistants are earning.

Respondents were asked to provide details of their basic salaries together with any benefits in kind such as rental accommodation, access to a car and CPD allowances, and total remuneration packages were calculated.

The survey, which is distributed along with the annual Fees Survey to SPVS members as a key benefit of membership, provides a breakdown of minimum, average and maximum salaries over categories ranging from location to the number of years qualified.

For the second year, student loan levels are featured, which, worryingly, highlights the increasing number of students graduating with large value loans.

Richard Hillman, SPVS President, said: "I very much welcome the publication of this important annual survey, which comes at a time when vet salaries and the fees we charge are under fire. It is interesting to note that the recent ‘league table' which effectively labeled us the ‘fat cats' among small businesses was based on the minority of corporate practices."

He added: "Our survey provides a very valuable base for employers to develop a transparent pay scheme and for employees to negotiate. It is particularly useful with new legislation on greater transparency of pay scales in businesses and the outlawing of salary ‘secrecy clauses' together with the Government's push for equality in male/female pay awards."

The SPVS annual Fees Survey, which provides a breakdown of fees charged across the small animal, cattle and equine sectors, will be published in September.

SPVS is run by practitioners for practitioners and if you'd like further information on the courses and membership benefits that SPVS offers, please contact the secretariat on 01926 410454 or visit the web site at www.spvs.org.uk

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.