Background information

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The information contained in these slides is for illustrative purposes onlyThe information contained in these slides is for illustrative purposes only

ONE MEDICINEONE MEDICINEONE SALARYONE SALARY

Background Information on Veterinarians’ Pay Background Information on Veterinarians’ Pay Inequities in the Federal GovernmentInequities in the Federal Government

Compiled by the DCVMA to supportCompiled by the DCVMA to supportResolutions for the AVMA House of DelegatesResolutions for the AVMA House of Delegates

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The information contained in The information contained in these slides is for illustrative these slides is for illustrative

purposes onlypurposes only

The Prospects for Veterinarians in The Prospects for Veterinarians in the Private Sectorthe Private Sector

New veterinary graduate opportunities are expected to New veterinary graduate opportunities are expected to be good because the number of graduates from be good because the number of graduates from veterinary school is not expected to increase significantly veterinary school is not expected to increase significantly over the 2002-12 period. over the 2002-12 period.

Employment of veterinarians is expected to increase Employment of veterinarians is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.

As pets are increasingly viewed as a member of the As pets are increasingly viewed as a member of the family, pet owners will be more willing to spend family, pet owners will be more willing to spend increasing amounts on advanced veterinary medical increasing amounts on advanced veterinary medical care, creating more demand for companion animal care, creating more demand for companion animal veterinarians as well as large animal and public health veterinarians as well as large animal and public health veterinarians.veterinarians.

Source: NVCEI

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The Widening Debt:Salary RatioThe Widening Debt:Salary Ratio Starting salaries for veterinarians have gone Starting salaries for veterinarians have gone

from 109.1% of the projected educational debt from 109.1% of the projected educational debt for 1980 graduates to 54.3% of the actual debt in for 1980 graduates to 54.3% of the actual debt in 20072007

Stated another way, in 1980 educational debt Stated another way, in 1980 educational debt was 91.6% of the mean starting salary whereas was 91.6% of the mean starting salary whereas in 2007 it is 184.1% of the entry level salary in 2007 it is 184.1% of the entry level salary

Internships account for a nearly seven-fold Internships account for a nearly seven-fold increase in the debt : salary ratio increase in the debt : salary ratio

Source: JF Wilson, J Taylor,

Univ. TN

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Source: JF Wilson, J Taylor,

Univ. TN

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Loan Repayment ProjectionsLoan Repayment Projections

If one is able to extend the loan If one is able to extend the loan 30-year repayment30-year repayment schedule schedule 5% interest5% interest

Monthly payments would be $994.81 while Monthly payments would be $994.81 while annual payments would be $11,338annual payments would be $11,338

This requires an annual starting salary of This requires an annual starting salary of $75,584. $75,584.

Source: JF Wilson, J Taylor

Univ. TN

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Starting Salaries Are Not Projected to Match Debt BurdenStarting Salaries Are Not Projected to Match Debt Burden

Source: JF Wilson, J Taylor

Univ. TN

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In Summary – Private SectorIn Summary – Private Sector

Not all Americans will be able to Not all Americans will be able to become veterinarians, become veterinarians, because they will not be able because they will not be able to afford the cost of educationto afford the cost of education

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The Prospects for Veterinarians in The Prospects for Veterinarians in the Public Sectorthe Public Sector

Department of Labor estimates the federal Department of Labor estimates the federal government employs about 1.9 million government employs about 1.9 million civilians in the United States and abroad. civilians in the United States and abroad. In the federal Government there are: In the federal Government there are: about 25,000 physicians and surgeons about 25,000 physicians and surgeons about 54,000 registered nursesabout 54,000 registered nurses approximately 2,800 veterinariansapproximately 2,800 veterinarians

Approximately 58,000 veterinarians in other Approximately 58,000 veterinarians in other jobs within the USA. jobs within the USA.

Source: NAFV

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Public Health Veterinarians in Public Health Veterinarians in the Federal Governmentthe Federal Government

90 85115

1200

670

40

6

439

90 128

111620 2

82 HHS-CDC

HHS-NIH

HHS-FDA

USDA-FSIS

USDA-APHIS

USDA-ARS

Coop State Research, Ed, Ext

DOD-Army

DOD-Air Force

Environmental Protection Agency

DOI-USGS

DOI-Fish and Wildlife

DOI-National Park Service

DO Commerce

DOS/USAID

DOI/Forest Service

USDA-ORACBA

DHS

Total: ~2,800

USDA-FSIS

USDA-APHIS

DOD-Army

HHS-FDA

Source: M Pappaioanou, AAVMC

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Major Federal Departments Major Federal Departments Employing Biology ProfessionalsEmploying Biology Professionals

Department of Agriculture (USDA)Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

(NIAID) (NIAID) Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Source: Partnership for Public Service, 2003

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Aging of the Federal WorkforceAging of the Federal Workforce

U.S. Office of Personnel Management U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) estimates that among all full-time (OPM) estimates that among all full-time permanent employees in the Federal permanent employees in the Federal workforce as of October 2004 workforce as of October 2004 58% of supervisory 58% of supervisory 42% of non-supervisory workers 42% of non-supervisory workers

will be eligible to retire by 2012.will be eligible to retire by 2012.


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The Aging of the Federal WorkforceThe Aging of the Federal Workforce

Among those with medical backgrounds at Among those with medical backgrounds at the CDC and FDA there are more than the CDC and FDA there are more than twice as many employees over 40 years of twice as many employees over 40 years of age as under 40age as under 40

In the field of microbiology, there are In the field of microbiology, there are 11employees over 40 for every one under 11employees over 40 for every one under 40 at CDC40 at CDC


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Federal RetirementsFederal Retirements

OPM data shows that there are nearly twice OPM data shows that there are nearly twice as many biology professionals in agencies as many biology professionals in agencies hiring Biology Professionals over 40 years hiring Biology Professionals over 40 years of age as under 40 years of ageof age as under 40 years of age

Nearly half of the federal employees in Nearly half of the federal employees in occupations critical to our biodefense will occupations critical to our biodefense will be eligible to retire within the next five be eligible to retire within the next five years.years.


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In Summary – Public SectorIn Summary – Public Sector

To Sustain the Federal Veterinary Workforce To Sustain the Federal Veterinary Workforce

At least 500 veterinary graduates must enter bio At least 500 veterinary graduates must enter bio defense fields every year to meet current defense fields every year to meet current demanddemand

CDC, NIAID and FDA report losing some of their CDC, NIAID and FDA report losing some of their most talented employees to academic and most talented employees to academic and private sector organizationsprivate sector organizations Private sector is able to offer employees salaries “30 Private sector is able to offer employees salaries “30

to 40 percent higher than their current <federal> to 40 percent higher than their current <federal> salaries”salaries”

Sources: Partnership for Public Service, 2003; NAFV

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The Impact of Fewer Veterinarians and The Impact of Fewer Veterinarians and Low Pay in the Federal Government Low Pay in the Federal Government

Fewer veterinarians results in Fewer veterinarians results in Less expertise in zoonotic disease which will have a Less expertise in zoonotic disease which will have a

negative impact on policy and decision making; negative impact on policy and decision making; Less representation to advocate for agriculture, Less representation to advocate for agriculture,

research and homeland security causing a shift in research and homeland security causing a shift in attention to other issuesattention to other issues

Low pay results in Low pay results in Lower status and credibility when negotiating Lower status and credibility when negotiating

solutions; solutions; Negative role model for State and academia, Negative role model for State and academia,

exacerbating low recruitment and retention ratesexacerbating low recruitment and retention rates

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USC Titles with Pay AuthoritiesUSC Titles with Pay Authorities Title 5: GS pay scalesTitle 5: GS pay scales

Title 10: Military PayTitle 10: Military Pay

Title 37: Gives HHS Secretary special and Title 37: Gives HHS Secretary special and incentive paysincentive pays

Title 38: Health and Allied ProfessionsTitle 38: Health and Allied Professions

Title 42: Uniformed ServicesTitle 42: Uniformed Services

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Title 38Title 38 Established as a separate personnel Established as a separate personnel

system in 1946 to facilitate the rapid hiring system in 1946 to facilitate the rapid hiring of Physicians at the end of World War IIof Physicians at the end of World War II

Nation now faced with the similar Nation now faced with the similar shortages for large animal and public shortages for large animal and public health veterinarians that were seen in health veterinarians that were seen in 1946 with Physicians that caused the Title 1946 with Physicians that caused the Title 38 system to be enacted38 system to be enacted

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Nurses and Allied Health Nurses and Allied Health Employees Covered by Title 38Employees Covered by Title 38

NurseNurse Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Speech Pathologist (Research)Speech Pathologist (Research) Health Tech. (Phlebotomy)Health Tech. (Phlebotomy) Med. Lab. Aid/TechnicianMed. Lab. Aid/Technician Diagnostic Radiologic Technol.Diagnostic Radiologic Technol. Nuclear Medicine Technol.Nuclear Medicine Technol. Practical NursePractical Nurse Medical Record Tech.Medical Record Tech. Dental AssistantDental Assistant Medical Instrument Tech. Medical Instrument Tech.

(Ultrasound)(Ultrasound) Medical Instrument Tech. Medical Instrument Tech.

(Echocardiographic Tech.)(Echocardiographic Tech.) Histopathology Technician, Histopathology Technician,

Medical Instrument Tech. (Critical Medical Instrument Tech. (Critical Care Therapist)Care Therapist)

Cytotechnologist, Medical Cytotechnologist, Medical Technologist (Phoenix, AZ)Technologist (Phoenix, AZ)

Medical Instrument Tech. (Cardiac Medical Instrument Tech. (Cardiac Catheterization Tech.)Catheterization Tech.)

Medical Record AdministratorMedical Record Administrator Medical TechnologistMedical Technologist Health PhysicistHealth Physicist Dental HygienistDental Hygienist Medical Instrument Tech. Medical Instrument Tech.

(Pulmonary Functions Tech.)(Pulmonary Functions Tech.) Physician's AssistantPhysician's Assistant Occupational TherapistOccupational Therapist Physical TherapistPhysical Therapist PharmacistPharmacist

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In the Federal Government Veterinarians In the Federal Government Veterinarians are Thought of as Technical Professionalsare Thought of as Technical Professionals

Most veterinarians are partitioned into Most veterinarians are partitioned into technical positions starting at the GS 12 technical positions starting at the GS 12 level rising to GS13 or 14 versus level rising to GS13 or 14 versus management positions with potential to management positions with potential to achieve higher gradesachieve higher grades

By comparison most physicians start at By comparison most physicians start at GS14/15 and are frequently hired into GS14/15 and are frequently hired into management and executive positionsmanagement and executive positions

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Unequal Pay for Equal WorkUnequal Pay for Equal Work In some cases within the Centers for Disease In some cases within the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, both Physicians and Control and Prevention, both Physicians and Veterinarians are working in the same Veterinarians are working in the same epidemiological positions with the same epidemiological positions with the same responsibilities and duties, yet responsibilities and duties, yet The average annual salary for veterinarians in the The average annual salary for veterinarians in the

Federal Government was $84,335 in 2007Federal Government was $84,335 in 2007 The average annual salary for physicians in the The average annual salary for physicians in the

Federal Government in the lowest pay category for Federal Government in the lowest pay category for physicians is approximately $133,000 (range $91,530 physicians is approximately $133,000 (range $91,530 to $350,000)to $350,000)

Source: NAFV

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Factors Physician Dentist VeterinarianFull time $9,000 $3,500 -$ Length of Service $0 - 18,000 $0 - 4,000 -$ Scare Medical Specialty $0 - 40,000 $0 - 20,000 -$ Executive Responsibility Pay $4,500 - 25,000 $1,000 - 8,000 -$ Board Certification $2,000 - 2,500 $2,000 - 2,500 250.00$ Geographic location $0 - 17,000 $0 - 5,000 -$ Exceptional Qualifications $0 - 15,000 $0 - 5,000 -$ Multiyear Specialty Pay for Interns $12,000 - 14,000 -$ -$

Title 38 (Civil Service)Amounts/Ranges

Sample Pay Inequities at NIH in Sample Pay Inequities at NIH in Civilian Service Civilian Service

Source:

http://hr.od.nih.gov/t38and42crs/pay/payprov.htm

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Factors Medical Officer Veterinary Medical OfficerBase 114,141.00$ 114,141.00$ Variable Special Pay 8,000.00$ -$ Board Certification 6,000.00$ 5,000.00$ Incentive Special Pay 13,000.00$ -$ Multiyear Specialty Pay 14,000.00$ -$ Annual total 155,141.00$ 119,141.00$ Retirements 25 year credit 20 year creditUpon retirement (after 25 years) 75% base 62.5% base

Title 42 (Uniformed Service)After 20 years service in Commissioned Corps

Sample Pay Inequities in US Public Sample Pay Inequities in US Public Health Uniformed ServicesHealth Uniformed Services

Source:

http://hr.od.nih.gov/t38and42crs/pay/payprov.htm

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Sample Pay Inequities in Military Sample Pay Inequities in Military ServicesServices

Factors Medical Officer Dental Officer Veterinary Medical OfficerVariable Special Pay $2,600 - 15,167 $6,500 - 17,333 -$ Board Certification $5,417 - 13,000 $5,417 - 13,000 250.00$ Incnetiuve Speical Pay $12,000 - 36,000Additional Special Pay $4,000 - 15,000 -$ Multiyear Specialty Pay $13,000 - 50,000 -$ Monthly Special Pay (Reserves) $450 $350 $100

Title 10 (Military Service)

Source:

http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/2006militarypaytables/militarypaypriorrates/2004paytable.pdf

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Health Professions Covered by Health Professions Covered by Title 10 (military)Title 10 (military)

Anesthesiology Anesthesiology Internal medicine Internal medicine Otolaryngology Otolaryngology Dermatology Dermatology Neurology Neurology Pathology Pathology Emergency medicine Emergency medicine Neurosurgery Neurosurgery Pediatrics Pediatrics Family practice Family practice

OB/GYN OB/GYN Prev/Occ/Phys Med & Prev/Occ/Phys Med &

Aero Med Aero Med Gastroenterology Gastroenterology Ophthalmology Ophthalmology Psychiatry Psychiatry Urology Urology General surgery General surgery Orthopedics Orthopedics Radiology Radiology

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The Problem is not just in the USThe Problem is not just in the US

In the UK …In the UK … ““the Department (of Environment, Food the Department (of Environment, Food

and Rural Affairs, DEFRA) cannot and Rural Affairs, DEFRA) cannot seriously expect its specialist staff, who seriously expect its specialist staff, who are at the forefront of the UK's fight are at the forefront of the UK's fight against diseases such as foot and mouth against diseases such as foot and mouth and avian flu, to remain motivated when it and avian flu, to remain motivated when it keeps imposing below-inflation pay keeps imposing below-inflation pay awards.”awards.”

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What Actions are UnderwayWhat Actions are Underway AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee recommended to AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee recommended to

Executive Board to approve “Active Pursuit” of securing Executive Board to approve “Active Pursuit” of securing equity in federal veterinary payequity in federal veterinary pay

One Medicine Initiative?One Medicine Initiative? NAFV?NAFV? AAVMC?AAVMC? NCVEI?NCVEI? GAO?GAO? NAS - Current and Future Needs for Veterinarians in the NAS - Current and Future Needs for Veterinarians in the

US (study)US (study) State VMA’s – Resolution to HODState VMA’s – Resolution to HOD

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Proposed Resolution 1Proposed Resolution 1 To AVMA House of Delegates in New OrleansTo AVMA House of Delegates in New Orleans

RESOLVED: RESOLVED:

That the AVMA place top priority on proposing That the AVMA place top priority on proposing and advocating for passage of legislation that and advocating for passage of legislation that would provide equal pay for veterinarians and would provide equal pay for veterinarians and physicians carrying out equal work in the physicians carrying out equal work in the federal government in regards to base salary federal government in regards to base salary and special pay; support State VMA’s to and special pay; support State VMA’s to pursue equity in pay for public practice pursue equity in pay for public practice veterinarians; and work with other veterinarians; and work with other organizations to accomplish these goals. organizations to accomplish these goals.

DCVMA

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RESOLVED:RESOLVED:

that the AVMA, as a member of the “One Health that the AVMA, as a member of the “One Health Initiative”, adopt an official position that it Initiative”, adopt an official position that it leads the Initiative to promote equal pay for leads the Initiative to promote equal pay for veterinarians and physicians doing equal veterinarians and physicians doing equal work as part of the Initiative’s mandate. work as part of the Initiative’s mandate.

DCVMA

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RESOLVED:RESOLVED:

That the AVMA Executive Board re-commission the That the AVMA Executive Board re-commission the National Commission on Veterinary Economic National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) to 1) study economic factors Issues (NCVEI) to 1) study economic factors impacting on veterinarians in federal and State impacting on veterinarians in federal and State public practice and academia, including salaries and public practice and academia, including salaries and benefits, recruitment, retention and professional benefits, recruitment, retention and professional opportunities; 2) evaluate how these factors opportunities; 2) evaluate how these factors compare with allied health professions; and 3) study compare with allied health professions; and 3) study how these factors affect allied professions. how these factors affect allied professions.

DCVMA

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