Veterinarian salary in Ames, IA
Veterinarians in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $118,240 a year ($56.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,180 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 5% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $124,610. There are 1.5 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $128,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,020 | $39.92 |
| 25th percentile | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Median | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| 75th percentile | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,180 | $96.24 |
| Average (mean) | $128,990 | $62.02 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,853.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,926.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,547.69 |
| Weekly | $2,273.85 |
| Hourly | $56.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $130,900 | 210 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $130,740 | 60 |
| Iowa City, IA | $128,180 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $127,160 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,470 | 100 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $107,280 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| Pharmacist | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,000 | $119.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Dentists, General | $163,950 | $78.82 |
| Occupational Therapist | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Chiropractor | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Ames, IA metro area is $118,240 a year, or $56.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $200,180 a year. The top 25% earn $161,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,020 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $97,780 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Ames, IA?
About 80 veterinarians are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.