Veterinarian Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $65.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in West Des Moines, IA runs $65.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,393 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,836 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in West Des Moines, IA, can expect a median hourly pay of $65.57. This figure slightly trails the national hourly median of $66.03, indicating competitive earnings in an evolving market. For those working part-time, say for 24 hours a week over three days, this pay translates into approximately $82,032 annually, a viable income for many professionals in this field. Per diem workers within diverse settings—ranging from general practice exam rooms and surgical suites to specialty referral hospitals and equine visits—may also find themselves earning significantly. Entry-level wages start at around $38.76, while experienced professionals can achieve impressive hourly rates, reaching up to $101.64 in West Des Moines, showing the potential for growth and specialization.
About the West Des Moines 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) | $38.76 | $310.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.34 | $402.73 |
| Median (P50) | $65.57 | $524.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.93 | $671.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.64 | $813.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $65.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.57/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $136,394 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,689. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,622.95 | $11,366 | $136,394 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,573.77 | $6,820 | $81,836 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,049.18 | $4,546 | $54,557 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (West Des Moines) | $65.57 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $136,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.69% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.20% above the Iowa state average of $134,776.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.57/hr = $81,836/year (purchasing power: $90,527).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,394/year (purchasing power: $150,878).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in West Des Moines grew 36.3% from $45.58/hr (2019) to $62.12/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.22/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 West 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 West Des Moines
Focusing on earning potential reveals more nuanced realities for veterinarians dependent on their employment structure in West Des Moines. A part-time veterinarian, working three days a week, could find their annual earnings comfortably positioned compared to full-time colleagues, yet their income may vary based on work settings. Relief veterinarians can command higher per diem rates, often billed between $90 and $140 per hour at general practices, while specialty roles like surgery or internal medicine could fetch between $150 and $250 per hour. Furthermore, hourly rates often differ based on employer type, with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl representing about 25% of the market, offering structured pay scales but varying significantly with independent clinics. Some veterinarians might trade lower hourly rates for benefits, especially health insurance, reflecting the ongoing struggle of balancing work-life priorities with financial needs. In West Des Moines, those negotiating their rates will find that focusing on the details of their roles and the unique value they bring can lead to more favorable agreements.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in West Des Moines in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in West Des Moines?
Are veterinarians in West Des Moines paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in West Des Moines?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in West Des Moines?
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Career Resources
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 West 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
Salary data for West Des Moines 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