Relief Vets Are Your Most Expensive Option. They’re Also Your Lowest Producers.
The Hidden Cost of Chronic Relief Dependence
Relief coverage is a necessary tool. Every practice needs the flexibility to fill schedule gaps, manage unexpected absences, and handle seasonal demand. The problem isn’t using relief. The problem is depending on it.
In 2025, relief veterinarians were compensated at 26.9% of production—the highest among DVM roles. Owner DVMs came in at 23.9%. Associates at 20.8%. Relief costs more per dollar of production than any other option.
And the Production Gap Makes It Worse
Owner DVMs generated an average transaction charge of $359 in 2025. Associates averaged $323. Relief? $317.
Relief vets are the most expensive option on your payroll, and they generate the least revenue per visit. That combination is a profitability problem that compounds quietly over time.
Why the ATC Gap Matters
The difference between owner ATC and relief ATC isn’t just about skill. It’s about relationships. An owner DVM who knows their clients, understands their pets’ histories, and has established trust achieves greater compliance with diagnostics, treatment plans, and follow-up recommendations. That relationship drives value.
Relief coverage can’t replicate that. Which means that every time a practice fills a recurring scheduling gap with relief rather than building its associate bench, it’s paying a premium for a lower return.
The Rule of Thumb
If your relief costs exceed 25% of production, you’re overpaying for flexibility. That’s the signal to start investing in associate retention as the long-term solution instead.