Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $66.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Des Moines, IA runs $66.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,178 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,903 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, IA, veterinarians earn a median hourly pay of $66.43, slightly outpacing the national median of $66.03. This competitive hourly wage provides attractive prospects for part-time and per-diem veterinarians working in various settings, including general practices, surgical suites, specialty hospitals, and even university teaching clinics. For those working three days a week (about 24 hours), this hourly rate allows for a steady income while granting flexibility in working hours. Entry-level veterinarians typically start around $40.69 per hour, with the top earners reaching rates of $87.08 per hour. This official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reflects the diverse opportunities within the veterinary field and the value placed on skilled veterinarians in the region.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.69 | $325.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.34 | $402.73 |
| Median (P50) | $66.43 | $531.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.67 | $653.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.08 | $696.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $66.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.43/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $138,172 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,715. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,657.16 | $11,514 | $138,172 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,594.29 | $6,909 | $82,903 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,062.86 | $4,606 | $55,269 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Des Moines) | $66.43 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $138,178 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.61% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% above the Iowa state average of $134,808.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.43/hr = $82,903/year (purchasing power: $90,406).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,172/year (purchasing power: $150,677).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Des Moines grew 38.9% from $45.30/hr (2019) to $62.93/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.12/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinarian in Des Moines
In Des Moines, a veterinarian working part-time may see a significantly different financial outcome than their full-time peers. A three-day workweek results in an annual income that varies, but combined with the flexibility of part-time hours, it can be quite favorable. Per diem veterinarian pay in Des Moines often ranges from $90 to $140 per hour at general practices, and can jump to $150 to $250 for specialty relief veterinarians, particularly those with certifications from national specialty boards like ACVIM or ACVS. The variation in hourly rates is further influenced by employer type, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl comprising around 25% of the market, alongside independent practices and large animal or mixed specialty clinics. While larger establishments often provide benefits that can justify a lower hourly rate, many veterinarians are faced with choosing between higher hourly wages without benefits or lower rates that offer health insurance and retirement savings options. For those seeking to negotiate their hourly pay, understanding the local market rate and the specific services they can offer is key to achieving fair compensation in this competitive field.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinarians in Des Moines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov