Veterinarian salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Veterinarians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $130,740 a year ($62.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,410 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $124,610. There are 0.66 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $128,150, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinarians in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,910 | $37.46 |
| 25th percentile | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| Median | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| 75th percentile | $152,140 | $73.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,410 | $79.05 |
| Average (mean) | $128,150 | $61.61 |
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 | $10,895 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,447.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,028.46 |
| Weekly | $2,514.23 |
| Hourly | $62.86 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
| Pharmacist | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,990 | $138.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,200 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Dentists, General | $163,600 | $78.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | $63.89 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Chiropractor | $63,280 | $30.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $130,740 a year, or $62.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $164,410 a year. The top 25% earn $152,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,910 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $99,270 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 60 veterinarians are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.