Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $61.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Urbandale, IA runs $61.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,764 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,265 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, IA, the veterinarian hourly pay is projected to be $61.91 in 2026. This figure is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $66.03, illustrating the varying compensation levels that exist within the profession. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, or those doing per diem work, these hourly rates provide critical insight into their potential earnings. Given the estimates, a part-time veterinarian might expect to earn around $25,000 annually if working 24 hours a week. The pay range for veterinarians in Urbandale stretches from $37.45 for entry-level positions to as high as $95.95 for top earners, which aligns with the varying levels of expertise and responsibility seen throughout different roles in settings such as general practices, specialty clinics, and even pharmaceutical industry environments.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.45 | $299.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.48 | $395.81 |
| Median (P50) | $61.91 | $495.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.05 | $624.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.95 | $767.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $61.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.91/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $128,775 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,293. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,476.44 | $10,731 | $128,775 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,485.86 | $6,439 | $77,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $990.58 | $4,292 | $51,510 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Urbandale) | $61.91 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $128,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.24% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $134,832.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.91/hr = $77,265/year (purchasing power: $85,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,775/year (purchasing power: $142,450).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Urbandale grew 36.3% from $43.03/hr (2019) to $58.65/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.35/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
Considering part-time opportunities, a veterinarian in Urbandale working three days a week could see significant differences in their annual earnings compared to a full-time counterpart. Part-time vets might earn around $25,000, while full-time professionals could make $128,764 annually by working 40 hours a week. Per diem veterinarians, particularly those filling relief roles at general practices, typically command rates from $90 to $140 hourly, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals—specialty relief positions can be even more lucrative, with pay reaching $150 to $250 per hour. Various employer types influence hourly rates significantly; corporate practices like VCA or BluePearl, which hold about 25% of the market, often offer structured pay scales, while independent clinics may have more flexibility in negotiations. This corporate consolidation trend impacts compensation trends, and many veterinarians weigh the benefits of steady salaries against the potential for greater pay without benefits in independent practice. When negotiating hourly wages in Urbandale, leveraging local market data and understanding the cost-benefit ratio of benefits versus pure hourly pay can provide significant advantages.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Urbandale is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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