Veterinarian Salary in Ames, IA: $124,814 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Ames, IA earns a median $124,814/year (≈ $60.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $140,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ames, Iowa, the projected veterinarian salary in 2026 stands at $124,814, reflecting a competitive compensation package compared to neighboring regions. The salary range varies significantly, spanning from $87,636 at the 10th percentile to $211,310 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. While the median salary is slightly lower than the national average of $137,334, the structural divide between corporate and independent veterinary practices influences earning potential. Corporate facilities, particularly those run by chains like VCA and BluePearl, often offer structured salaries and additional benefits that can contribute to higher overall compensation when compared to independent practices that may provide a more flexible work environment but typically have varied pay structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,636 | $42.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,217 | $49.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,814 | $60.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,543 | $81.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,310 | $101.59 |
Median Salary Position
9.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,674 (2026 est.). At $124,814, the local median is 9.12% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Veterinarian Pay Compares
Ames median: $124,814/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,788 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -9.12% less |
Veterinarians in Ames, IA earn a median of $124,814 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.12% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.40% below the Iowa state average of $134,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $124,814 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$79,620
2025 BLS Actual
$118,240
2026 Current Est.
$124,814
2019–2027 Growth
+65.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,814 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 48.5% from $79,620 (2019) to $118,240 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,134 (65.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $87,636 – $103,217 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,217 – $124,814 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,814 – $170,543 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,543 – $211,310 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Ames
In Ames, approximately 80 veterinarians work in various settings, reflecting a stable job market. The cost-of-living index of 88.83 indicates that housing and daily expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local veterinarians. Employers that tend to pay the highest salaries include large animal and equine practices, specialty referral hospitals, and corporate-owned clinics. The income disparity in the local market is influenced by factors such as post-graduate specialty board certifications in fields like surgery and internal medicine, production-based compensation models, and potential bonuses for new graduates in understaffed rural areas, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000. For veterinarians in Ames looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications and exploring opportunities in specialty practices or corporate settings may provide the best financial prospects.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Ames?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Ames?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Ames?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $118,240 for veterinariansin the Ames metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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