Veterinarian Salary in Burlington, IA: $129,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Burlington, IA earns a median $129,404/year (≈ $62.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $143,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median annual veterinarian salary in Burlington projected at $129,404, the income landscape here reveals a notable disparity compared to national averages. The salary range extends from $77,381 at the 10th percentile to $200,576 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in experience, specialization, and practice type. These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional adjustments, place Burlington slightly below the national median of $137,334 for the same year. The local market is heavily influenced by the structural divide between corporate and independent practices, each offering different compensation models that can significantly affect earning potential for veterinarians.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,381 | $37.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,404 | $62.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,215 | $77.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,576 | $96.43 |
Median Salary Position
5.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,195 (2026 est.). At $129,404, the local median is 5.77% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Veterinarian Pay Compares
Burlington median: $129,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,796 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -5.77% less |
Veterinarians in Burlington, IA earn a median of $129,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.77% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $134,796.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $129,404 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,146 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,948
2025 BLS Actual
$122,588
2026 Current Est.
$129,404
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,575 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,298 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,223 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,745 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,588 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,599 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $89,948 (2019) to $122,588 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,599 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,651 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $77,381 – $102,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,890 – $129,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,404 – $161,215 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,215 – $200,576 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Burlington
The veterinarian job market in Burlington consists of a modest employment base, with only four veterinarians currently working in the area. This limited job availability, coupled with a cost-of-living index of 90.4, means that take-home pay can have a different impact on lifestyle compared to higher-cost regions. Among local employers, corporate veterinary groups like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer more competitive salaries, driven by structured pay models and benefits packages. In contrast, independent practices may provide opportunities for ownership equity and production-based compensation that can enhance overall earnings for those who diversify their skills or pursue specialty certification. As the market continues to evolve, focusing on specialization, such as surgery or internal medicine, alongside exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, can yield significant financial advantages for veterinarians in Burlington, IA.
More salary data for Burlington, 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 $122,588 for veterinariansin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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