Veterinarian Salary in Davenport, IA: $131,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Davenport, IA earns a median $131,391/year (≈ $63.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $147,499 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Davenport, IA are projected to earn a median annual salary of $131,391 in 2026, a figure that reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary spectrum in this city spans from $68,202 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $209,315 at the 90th percentile (P90), indicating significant variability based on factors such as experience, expertise, and type of practice. These insights are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting trends for 2026. With ongoing developments in the market, including corporate consolidation trends that influence compensation frameworks, the job outlook remains competitive for veterinarians in Davenport.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,202 | $32.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,425 | $49.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,391 | $63.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,230 | $78.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,315 | $100.63 |
Median Salary Position
4.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,113 (2026 est.). At $131,391, the local median is 4.33% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davenport Veterinarian Pay Compares
Davenport median: $131,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,760 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.33% less |
Veterinarians in Davenport, IA earn a median of $131,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.33% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the Iowa state average of $134,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $131,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,499 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,980
2025 BLS Actual
$124,470
2026 Current Est.
$131,391
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,696 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 29.7% from $95,980 (2019) to $124,470 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,696 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,716 (44.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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) | $68,202 – $102,425 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,425 – $131,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,391 – $164,230 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,230 – $209,315 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Davenport
In terms of employment dynamics, Davenport hosts approximately 100 veterinarians, fostering a local job market that is robust despite a relatively low cost-of-living index of 89.079, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries. Among employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which cover about 25% of the market in Davenport, typically offer higher pay compared to independent practices. The disparity in compensation can be attributed to varying factors, including specialty board certifications that command higher salaries compared to general practice roles. Moreover, veterinarians working in specialized fields or those who take part in ownership equity arrangements can negotiate more lucrative compensation packages, especially with the increasing availability of sign-on bonuses of $50,000 to $150,000 aimed at recruiting new graduates. To maximize earnings in this local market, practitioners should seek out opportunities for further specialization, consider the potential advantages of joining corporate practices, and engage in networking to navigate the evolving landscape of veterinarian pay in Davenport, IA.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $124,470 for veterinariansin the Davenport 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