Veterinarian Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $136,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $136,393/year (≈ $65.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $150,877 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $136,393, veterinarians in West Des Moines, IA, are earning slightly less than the national median of $137,334 for 2026. The local salary range varies significantly, with figures stretching from $80,629 at the lower end (P10) to $211,409 at the upper end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate a dynamic job market influenced by the specialty certifications in veterinary medicine. For those holding credentials in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care, the potential for higher compensation continues to shape the landscape for veterinary practitioners in this area.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,629 | $38.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,711 | $50.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,393 | $65.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,584 | $83.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,409 | $101.64 |
Median Salary Position
0.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,780 (2026 est.). At $136,393, the local median is 0.69% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Veterinarian Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $136,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,776 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -0.69% less |
Veterinarians in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $136,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.69% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.20% above the Iowa state average of $134,776.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $136,393 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,877 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,806
2025 BLS Actual
$129,209
2026 Current Est.
$136,393
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,683 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,553 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,284 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,209 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,976 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $94,806 (2019) to $129,209 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,976 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,170 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West 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) | $80,629 – $104,711 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,711 – $136,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,393 – $174,584 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,584 – $211,409 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, with only 16 veterinarians currently employed, the local job market reflects competitive wages alongside a relatively moderate cost of living index of 90.4. This means that while salaries may be attractive, the purchasing power could be impacted by local economic conditions. Among the establishments contributing to veterinarian pay in the area, corporate veterinary chains such as VCA and BluePearl are notable employers, representing about 25% of the market and generally offering salaries that can exceed those found in independent practices. The disparity in earnings often stems from factors like specialty board certifications, production-based compensation models, and corporate restructuring—promoting varied income opportunities between general practitioners and specialists. Maximizing pay in West Des Moines may involve pursuing advanced certifications and considering positions in corporate or specialty practices, where the compensation packages often include sign-on bonuses aimed at attracting skilled veterinarians amid a competitive hiring market.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $129,209 for veterinariansin the West 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
Salary data for West Des Moines 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