The “Downsides” of Relief Work

Welcome to another installment of the Veterinary Rounds blog—where we talk about relief work, coaching, veterinary business, and other hot topics in veterinary medicine.

Today, I want to talk about some of the downsides of being a relief veterinarian. As you’re probably aware, I love being a relief veterinarian. Operating my own independent veterinary relief business has given me the freedom and flexibility I need to thrive in my veterinary career.

Before you read this post, head over to my previous one: “Why I Jumped Back Into Relief Work—and Why I Think You Should, Too!” Relief work has MANY benefits and only a few drawbacks, so definitely consider both if you’re thinking about a relief career.

Here are a few drawbacks to having your own independent veterinary relief business:

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No employer sponsored Health Insurance or Benefits

Firstly, if you’re your own boss (especially if you operate as a single-member LLC), you likely won’t have access to health, vision, dental, disability, and life insurance through an employer. Instead, you’ll need to get them independently—such as through the Health Insurance Marketplace or AVMA Life. When you’re not going through a larger employer, premiums are often a little (or a lot) higher than what you’re used to!

If you’re married, I highly recommend trying to get as many of your benefits as possible through your spouse’s employer (that’s what I do for health, vision, and dental). If that’s not an option, there are still ways to get coverage. I suggest contacting AVMA Life for information and offers before shopping around online—they’ll likely have better rates than the federal marketplace.

There are other “perks” of W-2 employment that you may have to go without as a relief vet, including 401(k)/retirement matches, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), student loan repayment, and CE and license reimbursement. The good news is that CE and license costs can be written off on your taxes, and there are ways to invest on your own time and dime!

In my opinion, none of these are “deal breakers.” With some careful planning and consideration, you can usually find acceptable alternatives to traditional employment benefits.

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High Taxes

This is something many associate veterinarians, practice managers, and even practice owners aren’t fully aware of. One reason hourly rates for relief veterinarians may seem high is to help offset the significant tax burden associated with 1099 income.

Relief vets must pay federal income tax (based on income), state income tax, and self-employment tax (15.3%) to cover Social Security and Medicare. Altogether, this can take up 30–40% of your total 1099 income.

There are ways to help manage this burden—for example, designating your business as an S-Corp (ask your CPA for details) and being smart with business-related expenses and deductions.

What do I do for taxes? I keep it simple: I write off as many qualified expenses as possible and save 35% of all my income for taxes, which I pay quarterly with the help of my CPA.

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Inconsistent Pay Schedule

This one is especially challenging if you’re the primary breadwinner in your household. You’ll likely invoice your clinics weekly, and they’ll pay you after receiving your invoice. But just like bills don’t always get paid on time, clinic payments can also be delayed by a few weeks.

This makes budgeting more difficult. It definitely helps to have a month or two of expenses saved before starting relief work. That said, it’s not mandatory—just be extra mindful of your finances until you get used to the pay cycle.

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Unpredictability and Lack of Routine

Some people (like me) enjoy the unpredictability of relief work. I love doing something different almost every day. Others prefer familiarity and routine, and feel better with a steady rhythm to their days.

I believe you can create a sense of routine within a relief schedule by setting boundaries (for example, only working between certain hours or on specific days). But if you like to work out every day at exactly 5 PM, relief work might not be a great fit.

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Pressure to Generate Revenue

Relief work—like many professions—is an “hours for money” trade. The more you work, the more you earn. That means your income is directly tied to your schedule and ability to book shifts, which can be stressful.

For me, this is actually a plus. I like that I can pick up extra shifts when I want to boost my income, or take a break and “coast” when I need to.

I handle the pressure by being very intentional with my daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedule. I budget carefully to determine how much I need to earn each month to support my household, and I work enough shifts to exceed that number. I also plan vacations far in advance so I know which days won’t be generating income.

I’m not naturally organized—truthfully, I’m about as “type B” as a “type A” personality can get. But I overcompensate with Google Docs, spreadsheets, and a paper planner to manage my calendar.

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No Patient Follow-Up and Limited Client Relationships

For me, this is often a plus, as mismatched client-DVM expectations were a major contributor to my burnout. That said, there are clients from past clinics—ones I had strong relationships with—that I do miss.

If you enjoy complex client relationships and following pets throughout their illness (or lifetime), it might be tough to switch to a role with limited follow-up and continuity.

I still enjoy meeting clients and having meaningful interactions, so I focus on making even small client interactions intentional, positive, and valuable. I also make sure to communicate clearly with clients about follow-ups, rechecks, and lab results—especially when I won’t be the DVM handling them. It creates a smoother experience for everyone involved.

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Conclusion

For me, the “downsides” of veterinary relief work don’t outweigh the many benefits—like making my own schedule, maintaining work/life balance, and owning my own business. See my previous post for more reasons why I love being a relief vet (and why I think you should be one, too!).

Are you a relief vet or considering relief work? What are the biggest downsides of this profession? Comment or DM me on Instagram @katiehogandvm and let’s chat!