Veterinarian Salary in Des Moines, IA: $138,178 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Des Moines, IA earns a median $138,178/year (≈ $66.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $150,683 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Des Moines, IA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $138,178, which slightly surpasses the national median of $137,334. This figure illustrates how the corporate consolidation of veterinary practices has influenced pay scales, with corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl generally offering more competitive compensation compared to independent practices. The salary range for veterinarians in this city extends from $84,649 at the 10th percentile to $181,130 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market reflective of various practice types and specializations. The data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, which shed light on salary dynamics in an evolving field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,649 | $40.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,705 | $50.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,178 | $66.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,867 | $81.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,130 | $87.08 |
Median Salary Position
0.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,481 (2026 est.). At $138,178, the local median is 0.61% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be above the median
How Des Moines Veterinarian Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $138,178/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,808 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +0.61% more |
Veterinarians in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $138,178 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.61% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% above the Iowa state average of $134,808.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $138,178 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,683 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% 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
$94,220
2025 BLS Actual
$130,900
2026 Current Est.
$138,178
2019–2027 Growth
+54.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,178 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 38.9% from $94,220 (2019) to $130,900 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,641 (54.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $84,649 – $104,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,705 – $138,178 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,178 – $169,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,867 – $181,130 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Des Moines
The local job market consists of around 210 veterinarians, presenting a moderate job climate in Des Moines. With a cost-of-living index of 91.701, veterinarian pay in Des Moines IA can stretch further than it might in areas with higher living costs. Employers that tend to pay the most are typically corporate practices or specialty hospitals, which often provide enhanced compensation packages, including bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities. Variations in salary stems from factors such as specialty board certification, production-based compensation, practice ownership, and regional demand for services. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian salary in Des Moines, pursuing advanced specialty training or seeking opportunities within corporate groups or specialized referral centers may present the best financial benefits.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Des Moines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Des Moines?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Des Moines?
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 $130,900 for veterinariansin the Des Moines 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