Veterinarian Salary in Mason City, IA: $127,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Mason City, IA earns a median $127,594/year (≈ $61.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $141,144 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Mason City, IA, can anticipate a median annual compensation of $127,594 in 2026, which presents a slight disadvantage relative to the national average of $137,334. The salary range for local professionals demonstrates significant variability, spanning from $75,436 at the 10th percentile to $197,770 at the 90th percentile. These projections are based on data derived from the 2025 BLS figures and incorporate regional price adjustments. The salary insights indicate that veterinarians practicing in a corporate structure may have different pay dynamics compared to those in independent practices, often influenced by factors like practice ownership and production-based compensation models. Those considering employment opportunities in Mason City should also be aware of the limited number of veterinarians operating in the area, which may affect the competitive nature of the job market.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,436 | $36.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,579 | $48.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,594 | $61.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,414 | $76.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,770 | $95.08 |
Median Salary Position
7.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,334 (2026 est.). At $127,594, the local median is 7.09% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Veterinarian Pay Compares
Mason City median: $127,594/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,734 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -7.09% less |
Veterinarians in Mason City, IA earn a median of $127,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.09% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $134,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $127,594 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,144 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,690
2025 BLS Actual
$120,873
2026 Current Est.
$127,594
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,211 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,252 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,937 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,653 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,873 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,688 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $88,690 (2019) to $120,873 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,688 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,998 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $75,436 – $100,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,579 – $127,594 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,594 – $159,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,414 – $197,770 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Mason City
An analysis of the current job market in Mason City reveals that only four veterinarians are employed locally, highlighting a concentrated workforce that may impact opportunities for new practitioners. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the purchasing power of a veterinarian's salary in Mason City remains competitive, but it's essential for professionals to weigh this against their overall compensation package. Among local employers, small animal companion clinics, particularly corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, represent about 25% of the job market and typically offer higher pay than independent practices. The disparity in salaries is often driven by specialization: board-certified veterinarians in fields like surgery or internal medicine tend to earn significantly more than general practitioners. For those looking to maximize their veterinarian pay in Mason City, strategies might include pursuing specialty board certifications, considering positions with production incentives, and actively engaging in the local job market to seek out lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Mason City?
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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 $120,873 for veterinariansin the Mason City 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 Mason City 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