Veterinarian Salary in Muscatine, IA: $125,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Muscatine, IA earns a median $125,867/year (≈ $60.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $139,233 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Muscatine, Iowa can expect a median annual salary of $125,867. This figure reflects the local market context, where earnings range from $80,407 at the 10th percentile to $195,093 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differentials, highlight the impact of the structure of veterinary practices on compensation. While large corporate entities have standardized pay scales, independent practices may offer varied and sometimes more competitive compensation. The distribution of salaries suggests that, while corporate and specialty practices tend to secure higher pays, there are significant opportunities for career advancement and higher earnings within independent and mixed practices in Muscatine.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,407 | $38.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,517 | $49.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,867 | $60.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,465 | $75.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,093 | $93.79 |
Median Salary Position
8.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,686 (2026 est.). At $125,867, the local median is 8.35% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Veterinarian Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $125,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,761 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -8.35% less |
Veterinarians in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $125,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $134,761.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $125,867 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,233 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,489
2025 BLS Actual
$119,237
2026 Current Est.
$125,867
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,489 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,963 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,989 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,638 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,155 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,237 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $87,489 (2019) to $119,237 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,376 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $80,407 – $103,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,517 – $125,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,867 – $157,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,465 – $195,093 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Muscatine
In terms of the local job market, Muscatine has only five employed veterinarians, indicating a limited yet potentially tight-knit community. The cost-of-living index of 90.4 suggests that daily expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the overall purchasing power of veterinarians despite the median salary being slightly lower than the national median of $137,334. Among the various opportunities, corporate veterinary chains may offer some of the highest salaries, especially for small animal companion clinics. In contrast, specialized practices or those with board-certified veterinarians may provide potential for significant salary increases, often through production-based compensation models where income is tied to revenue generated. For veterinarians in Muscatine looking to optimize their earnings, strategies such as pursuing board certifications, considering ownership stakes in practices, and actively negotiating sign-on bonuses—ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates—can prove beneficial within this evolving landscape of veterinarian pay in Muscatine, IA.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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 $119,237 for veterinariansin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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