Leadership on the Line — Supporting Practice Managers in 2025
The Quiet Cornerstone of Every Practice
Behind every thriving hospital is a strong practice manager keeping operations, finances, and people running smoothly. Yet, this essential role often gets overlooked in compensation and support planning.
The 2025 Veterinary Payroll Report highlights a notable market correction in manager pay and workload. The average practice manager now earns $57.42 per hour, up from $53.21, reflecting long-overdue recognition—but that progress comes with pressure.
Balancing Leadership and Longevity
Practice managers are the glue holding the hospital together, but they’re also the first to feel strain when staffing gaps widen or revenue goals tighten. The best practices are addressing this by coupling fair compensation with creative, non-monetary rewards: flexible hours, leadership development programs, and clear growth pathways.
Recognition doesn’t always require a raise. Sometimes, it’s about autonomy, trust, and appreciation.
Data-Driven Leadership
Managers thrive when they have visibility into the metrics that matter. Tools like iVET360’s Analytics and PULSE dashboards help managers identify performance gaps, improve efficiency, and advocate for their teams using real data.
The 2025 report shows that the average overtime for practice managers decreased slightly from 1.2 percent to 1.0 percent, suggesting better workload balance among those who are equipped with the right tools and support.
Building Better Communication
Perhaps the most important takeaway from this year’s data is the value of ongoing dialogue. Compensation conversations should be two-way: transparent about practice realities and empathetic to manager expectations. When both sides understand the full financial and emotional picture, better solutions emerge.
The Takeaway
Your practice manager isn’t just a coordinator—they’re your conductor. Empower them with the data, support, and recognition they deserve, and your entire practice will perform better.
