Veterinarian Salary in Urbandale, IA: $128,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Urbandale, IA earns a median $128,764/year (≈ $61.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $142,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Urbandale, Iowa, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $128,764 in 2026, which reflects local economic conditions and the cost of living adjustments based on state-level data. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $77,896 and more experienced or specialized roles commanding up to $199,584. Such disparities are often influenced by additional factors such as board certification in specialties like surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care, which can yield notable pay premiums. As Urbandale continues to evolve in its veterinary landscape, the competition amongst clinics could place upward pressure on salaries, particularly for those equipped to meet the demands of both corporate and independent practices.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,896 | $37.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,907 | $49.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,764 | $61.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,338 | $78.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,584 | $95.95 |
Median Salary Position
6.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,688 (2026 est.). At $128,764, the local median is 6.24% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Veterinarian Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $128,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,832 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -6.24% less |
Veterinarians in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $128,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.24% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $134,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $128,764 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,438 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,503
2025 BLS Actual
$121,982
2026 Current Est.
$128,764
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,503 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,057 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,107 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,817 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,668 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,282 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $89,503 (2019) to $121,982 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,420 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $77,896 – $102,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,907 – $128,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,764 – $162,338 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,338 – $199,584 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Urbandale
The local job market currently employs 12 veterinarians, creating a tight-knit community where collaboration can be essential for professional growth. The cost of living index of 90.4 suggests that while salaries may trend below the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively intact for residents. Large animal and mixed practices generally see lower compensation rates, while corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl can offer competitive pay structures often backed by sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates, particularly in shortage areas. Production-based compensation models implemented by many employers further complicate the variation in income, making it vital for veterinarians in Urbandale to consider their career paths carefully, including whether to pursue specialty certifications or explore opportunities in corporate environments where financial incentives may be more robust.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $121,982 for veterinariansin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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