Veterinarian Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $130,149 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $130,149/year (≈ $62.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $143,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, IA, the 2026 median annual veterinarian salary is projected at $130,149, reflecting a competitive position within the local job market. Salaries in the area range from $75,487 at the lower end to $201,731 for those in the highest pay brackets. These numbers are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differentials, which positions veterinarian pay in Council Bluffs slightly below the national median of $137,334. The effective compensation in this city is significantly influenced by the production-based payment model, where the percentage of revenue generated can substantially impact earnings, especially as the veterinary field evolves amidst ongoing corporate consolidation trends affecting practice ownership and compensation structures.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,487 | $36.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,954 | $48.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,149 | $62.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,591 | $80.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,731 | $96.99 |
Median Salary Position
5.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,244 (2026 est.). At $130,149, the local median is 5.23% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Veterinarian Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $130,149/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,730 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -5.23% less |
Veterinarians in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $130,149 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $134,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $130,149 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,970 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,466
2025 BLS Actual
$123,294
2026 Current Est.
$130,149
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,466 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,058 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,119 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,869 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,286 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,294 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,149 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,385 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $90,466 (2019) to $123,294 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,919 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $75,487 – $100,954 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,954 – $130,149 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,149 – $166,591 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,591 – $201,731 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Council Bluffs
The veterinarian job market in Council Bluffs currently employs 12 practitioners, providing a niche but stable employment environment. Given the cost-of-living index of 90.4, which suggests that living expenses are lower than the national average, veterinarians can see a tangible benefit in their purchasing power despite the median pay being slightly lower than national averages. Large animal and mixed-practice veterinarians may find more lucrative opportunities, while corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which represent about 25% of the market, typically offer attractive pay scales and benefits. To maximize earnings in Council Bluffs, aspiring veterinarians should consider specializing in high-demand areas, such as surgery or internal medicine, as these roles often come with enhanced pay potential through board certification. Additionally, negotiating for production-based compensation and exploring partnerships in future practice ownership can lead to significant financial advantages in this local market.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $123,294 for veterinariansin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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