Veterinarian Salary in Johnston, IA: $125,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Johnston, IA earns a median $125,086/year (≈ $60.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $138,369 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Iowa, the projected veterinarian salary in 2026 stands at $125,086, reflecting slightly lower earnings compared to the national average of $137,334. Veterinarians in this area can expect a salary range stretching from $78,733 at the 10th percentile to as high as $193,884 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, taking into account local economic conditions and regional price parities. The division between corporate practices and independent clinics is significant in Johnston; corporate entities often offer competitive salaries and additional benefits, while independent practices may provide equity opportunities but could lead to lower base salaries. Overall, this structural divide greatly influences the local veterinary job market.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,733 | $37.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,922 | $49.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,086 | $60.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,340 | $76.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,884 | $93.21 |
Median Salary Position
8.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,151 (2026 est.). At $125,086, the local median is 8.92% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Veterinarian Pay Compares
Johnston median: $125,086/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,791 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -8.92% less |
Veterinarians in Johnston, IA earn a median of $125,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.92% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $134,791.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston 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.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $125,086 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,369 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,947
2025 BLS Actual
$118,498
2026 Current Est.
$125,086
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,947 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,399 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,419 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,052 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,479 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,618 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,041 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $86,947 (2019) to $118,498 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,041 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,094 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $78,733 – $101,922 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,922 – $125,086 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,086 – $158,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,340 – $193,884 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Johnston
The job market in Johnston currently hosts only four veterinarians, indicating a relatively small community of practitioners. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, veterinarians in the region can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power than in areas with higher living costs. Among employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher veterinarian pay in Johnston, motivated by larger operating budgets, although these firms represent about 25% of the market. Factors such as specialty board certifications and production-based compensation models contribute to salary variations, with specialists earning significantly more than general practitioners. To enhance earning potential, veterinarians should consider pursuing additional certifications and actively seek positions in the growing corporate sector or explore innovative compensation agreements that align with increasing revenue generation.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 $118,498 for veterinariansin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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