Veterinarian Salary in Ankeny, IA: $130,971 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Ankeny, IA earns a median $130,971/year (≈ $62.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $144,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for veterinarians in 2026 reaches $130,971, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334. This figure highlights the ongoing premium associated with specialty board certification, particularly in fields such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care. The salary range for veterinarians in the area varies significantly from $76,284 at the 10th percentile to $203,006 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potentials based on experience, specialization, and practice type. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and local cost adjustments further contextualize these figures, emphasizing that Ankeny's job market is responsive to both the corporate consolidation of veterinary practices and the evolving demands of the profession.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,284 | $36.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,561 | $49.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,971 | $62.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,643 | $80.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,006 | $97.60 |
Median Salary Position
4.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,722 (2026 est.). At $130,971, the local median is 4.63% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Veterinarian Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $130,971/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,744 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.63% less |
Veterinarians in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $130,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.63% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $134,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $130,971 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,879 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,038
2025 BLS Actual
$124,073
2026 Current Est.
$130,971
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,038 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,652 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,476 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,881 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,971 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,038 (2019) to $124,073 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,215 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,284 – $102,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,561 – $130,971 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,971 – $167,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,643 – $203,006 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Ankeny
Veterinarians in Ankeny face a dynamic job market with only 16 practitioners currently employed locally. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the purchasing power of veterinarian pay in Ankeny is enhanced, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle compared to national averages. Practices such as corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl command a significant portion of the market, often providing higher salaries and benefits than independent clinics. The salary spread is influenced by multiple factors, including specialization, production-based compensation models, and the potential for ownership in independent practices. New graduates entering specialty fields can expect competitive sign-on bonuses, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Ankeny, focusing on acquiring specialized skills and negotiating compensation packages with corporate employers may yield significant financial rewards.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $124,073 for veterinariansin the Ankeny metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ankeny is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov