Veterinarian salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Veterinarians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $130,900 a year ($62.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,590 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $124,610. There are 0.53 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $130,570, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinarians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,190 | $38.55 |
| 25th percentile | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Median | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| 75th percentile | $160,920 | $77.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,590 | $82.49 |
| Average (mean) | $130,570 | $62.77 |
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 | $10,908.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,454.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,034.62 |
| Weekly | $2,517.31 |
| Hourly | $62.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $130,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,650 | $36.37 |
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 29-1131. 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $130,900 a year, or $62.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $171,590 a year. The top 25% earn $160,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,190 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $99,190 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 210 veterinarians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.