Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $47,780 a year ($22.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,880 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $47,380. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,560. There are 0.55 veterinary technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $46,700, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinary technologists and technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| 25th percentile | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Median | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| 75th percentile | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Average (mean) | $46,700 | $22.45 |
Half of veterinary technologists and technicians 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 | $3,981.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,990.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,837.69 |
| Weekly | $918.85 |
| Hourly | $22.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $50,730 | 270 |
| Iowa City, IA | $47,720 | 50 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $45,210 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,140 | 120 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,970 | 240 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $44,650 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $41,130 | 40 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,070 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for veterinary technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $61,270 |
| California | $60,630 |
| Washington | $59,740 |
| New York | $59,010 |
| Minnesota | $57,270 |
| Oregon | $55,810 |
| Virginia | $52,090 |
| Connecticut | $50,950 |
| Maine | $50,810 |
| Nevada | $50,250 |
See Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Paramedic | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2056. 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 veterinary technologists and technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $47,780 a year, or $22.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinary technologists and technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of veterinary technologists and technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $49,880 a year. The top 25% earn $49,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinary technologists and technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,090 a year, and a quarter of veterinary technologists and technicians earn $38,890 or less.
How many veterinary technologists and technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 220 veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.