Veterinarian Salary

Davenport vs Sioux City: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Davenport, IA and Sioux City, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$131,391
$63.17/hr
Sioux City, IA
$135,743
$65.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IASioux City, IA
Median Salary$131,391$135,743
Hourly Rate$63.17$65.26
Entry Level (P10)$68,202$78,731
25th Percentile$102,425$103,978
75th Percentile$164,230$170,791
Top Earner (P90)$209,315$210,401
Total Employed10013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($131,391) and Sioux City ($135,743) veterinarian salaries.DavenportSioux CityMedian Salary$131,391$135,743Entry Level (P10)$68,202$78,731Top Earner (P90)$209,315$210,401US Median $137,334

Verdict

Sioux City, IA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.

The salary gap between Davenport and Sioux City is $4,352 (3.31%). Sioux City's median is -1.16% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $141,113,Sioux City spans $131,670. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$68,202
P25$102,425
Median$131,391
P75$164,230
P90 (Top)$209,315
Sioux City
P10 (Entry)$78,731
P25$103,978
Median$135,743
P75$170,791
P90 (Top)$210,401

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sioux City ($150,158 effective) pays 1.80% more than Davenport ($147,499 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $131,391
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $147,499
Sioux City
Nominal: $135,743
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $150,158

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Sioux City if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,743/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($210,401)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,158)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Davenport grew 29.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.1% growth in Sioux City over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+29.7%

$95,980 (2019) → $124,470 (2025)

Sioux City, IA

+42.1%

$90,490 (2019) → $128,593 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Davenport or Sioux City?

Sioux City has a higher median veterinarian salary at $135,743/year, compared to Davenport at $131,391/year — a difference of $4,352 (3.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Sioux City?

Davenport veterinarians earn $63.17/hr while Sioux City hygienists earn $65.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Sioux City as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Sioux City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $147,499, Sioux City = $150,158), job availability (100 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Davenport vs Sioux City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $68,202 in Davenport and $78,731 in Sioux City. The Sioux City area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov