Veterinarian salary in Iowa City, IA
Veterinarians in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $128,180 a year ($61.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,090 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $124,610. There are 0.47 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $129,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,680 | $35.91 |
| 25th percentile | $95,050 | $45.70 |
| Median | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| 75th percentile | $155,000 | $74.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,090 | $93.80 |
| Average (mean) | $129,690 | $62.35 |
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 | $10,681.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,340.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,930 |
| Weekly | $2,465 |
| Hourly | $61.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $128,180 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $130,900 | 210 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $130,740 | 60 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Physicians, All Other | $257,340 | $123.72 |
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | $68.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Chiropractor | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $128,180 a year, or $61.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $195,090 a year. The top 25% earn $155,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,680 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $95,050 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Iowa City, IA?
About 40 veterinarians are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.