Veterinarian Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $134,230 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $134,230/year (≈ $64.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $150,883 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $134,230 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. The local salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $80,342, while experienced practitioners can earn as much as $177,562. These figures come from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting a competitive job market influenced by the structural divide between corporate and independent veterinary practices. The corporate consolidation trend, driven by larger entities such as Mars Inc. and VCA, has reshaped compensation packages, which often include bonuses, equity stakes, and varied pay scales, impacting how much veterinarians make in Cedar Rapids IA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,342 | $38.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,118 | $47.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,230 | $64.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,594 | $78.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,562 | $85.37 |
Median Salary Position
2.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,220 (2026 est.). At $134,230, the local median is 2.26% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Cedar Rapids Veterinarian Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $134,230/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,769 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -2.26% less |
Veterinarians in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $134,230 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.26% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $134,769.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $134,230 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,883 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,350
2025 BLS Actual
$127,160
2026 Current Est.
$134,230
2019–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,230 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 45.6% from $87,350 (2019) to $127,160 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,343 (62.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $80,342 – $98,118 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,118 – $134,230 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,230 – $162,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,594 – $177,562 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, a total of 100 veterinarians are employed, contributing to a robust local job market. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 88.963, which is below the national average, veterinarians in the area experience a relatively higher purchasing power with their salaries. Notably, large animal and equine practices, as well as specialty referral hospitals, tend to offer the highest pay scales, while corporate chains typically provide stable compensation along with production-based incentives. The wide salary spread can also be attributed to factors such as specialty board certifications and practice ownership. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Cedar Rapids, pursuing advanced specialties like DACVS or DACVIM can yield significantly higher returns, while considering role flexibility in independent practices may also provide additional financial opportunities.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, 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 $127,160 for veterinariansin the Cedar Rapids 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