Veterinarian Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $140,951 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $140,951/year (≈ $67.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $155,919 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, veterinarian salaries reflect both local demand and the national landscape of veterinary medicine. The projected median annual pay in 2026 is $140,951, which is slightly above the national median of $137,334. Local veterinarians earn between $81,752 and $218,474, depending on their experience and specialization, with unique premiums for board-certified surgeons or internal medicine specialists. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, highlighting a strong potential for both career growth and favorable compensation in a city with a promising job outlook.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,752 | $39.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,752 | $55.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,951 | $67.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,423 | $84.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,474 | $105.03 |
Median Salary Position
2.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,722 (2026 est.). At $140,951, the local median is 2.63% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $140,951/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,752 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.63% more |
Veterinarians in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $140,951 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.60% above the Iowa state average of $134,752.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $140,951 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,919 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,975
2025 BLS Actual
$133,527
2026 Current Est.
$140,951
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,975 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,864 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,527 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,951 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $97,975 (2019) to $133,527 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,813 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $81,752 – $115,752 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,752 – $140,951 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,951 – $175,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,423 – $218,474 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cedar Falls
The job market in Cedar Falls currently employs eight veterinarians, providing a niche environment where both general practitioners and specialists can thrive. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, veterinarians may enjoy a greater purchasing power compared to urban areas. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals generally offer higher compensation, particularly for veterinarians with advanced board certifications. Factors influencing salary disparities include the type of practice—corporate, independent, or mixed—and compensation structures that often reflect production-based metrics. To maximize their income, veterinarians in Cedar Falls might consider pursuing specialty training or exploring opportunities within corporate practices, which can sometimes offer significant sign-on bonuses for new graduates in shortage areas.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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
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 $133,527 for veterinariansin the Cedar Falls 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
Salary data for Cedar Falls 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