Veterinarian Salary in Iowa: $133,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $133,643/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $147,835 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cedar Falls ($133,527), Des Moines ($130,900), Waterloo ($130,740).
The average median salary for veterinarians in Iowa is projected to be $133,643 in 2026, which is approximately 2.7% lower than the national median of $137,334. The disparity in salaries across Iowa's cities is significant; for instance, Cedar Falls offers the highest at $140,951, while Fort Dodge presents the lowest at $123,708, creating a gap of $17,243. This difference is influenced by varying local demand for veterinary services, cost of living, and the concentration of pet ownership and agriculture in certain areas. Iowa requires veterinarians to hold state licenses which involve completing an accredited veterinary program and passing relevant examinations. The scope of practice laws in Iowa allow for a wide range of veterinary services, contributing to robust job opportunities in both urban and rural settings. Currently, there are 751 employed veterinarians in the state, reflecting a growth rate of 5.56% annually, suggesting an expanding job market and increasing demand for veterinary care. Top cities by projected salaries include Cedar Falls ($140,951), Des Moines ($138,178), and Waterloo ($138,009). With the demand for veterinary services driven by both livestock management and companion animal care, the outlook for veterinarians in Iowa appears solid as the profession continues to grow.
Iowa Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $68,202 (lowest entry-level) to $218,474 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa veterinarians earn 2.69% less than the national median ($-3,691/year difference).
Iowa Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Iowa range from $80,238 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $193,047 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $133,643. The Iowa median is $3,691 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $64.25/hr. Approximately 751 veterinarians are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,944
2025 BLS Actual
$126,604
2026 Current Est.
$133,643
2019–2027 Growth
+58.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,944 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,564 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,514 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,002 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,576 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,432 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,604 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 42.3% from $88,944 (2019) to $126,604 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,130 (58.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $123,708 |
| Ames | $124,814 |
| Johnston | $125,086 |
| Ottumwa | $125,391 |
| Muscatine | $125,867 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | $138,009 | 87.057 | $158,527 |
| Cedar Falls | $140,951 | 90.4 | $155,919 |
| Cedar Rapids | $134,230 | 88.963 | $150,883 |
| West Des Moines | $136,393 | 90.4 | $150,877 |
| Dubuque | $136,372 | 90.4 | $150,854 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,238 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $133,643 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $193,047 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Falls | $140,951 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $138,178 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $138,009 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $136,393 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $136,372 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $135,743 |
| 7 | Iowa City | $135,307 |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids | $134,230 |
| 9 | Marion | $132,519 |
| 10 | Davenport | $131,391 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $130,971 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $130,149 |
| 13 | Burlington | $129,404 |
| 14 | Waukee | $128,937 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $128,764 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $128,754 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $128,357 |
| 18 | Coralville | $128,188 |
| 19 | Mason City | $127,594 |
| 20 | North Liberty | $127,093 |
| 21 | Clinton | $126,464 |
| 22 | Muscatine | $125,867 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $125,391 |
| 24 | Johnston | $125,086 |
| 25 | Ames | $124,814 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $123,708 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Iowa?
How does Iowa veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Iowa?
How many veterinarians are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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