Veterinarian salary in Iowa
Veterinarians in Iowa earn a median of $124,610 a year ($59.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,950 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $130,100. Iowa ranks 30th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.64 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $122,200, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinarians in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| 25th percentile | $94,640 | $45.50 |
| Median | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| 75th percentile | $152,140 | $73.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,950 | $81.23 |
| Average (mean) | $122,200 | $58.75 |
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 | $10,384.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,192.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,792.69 |
| Weekly | $2,396.35 |
| Hourly | $59.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $118,240 | 80 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for veterinarians in Iowa is $124,610 a year, or $59.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Iowa?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Iowa earn at least $168,950 a year. The top 25% earn $152,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,800 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $94,640 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Iowa?
About 1,000 veterinarians are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.