Veterinarian Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $125,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $125,391/year (≈ $60.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $138,707 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian salary in Ottumwa is projected at a median of $125,391, reflecting a compensation model intricately tied to practice revenue generation. The salary range for veterinarians spans from $79,437 at the 10th percentile to $194,355 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data adjusted for regional price disparities, highlight the financial landscape for veterinarians in Iowa. While the income levels are competitive within the state, they fall short of the national median, suggesting a dynamic local job market that can influence compensation differently based on practice type and ownership structure. Given the uniqueness of Ottumwa's situation, understanding the local employment milieu can shed light on potential earnings in this profession.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,437 | $38.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,542 | $49.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,391 | $60.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,227 | $75.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,355 | $93.44 |
Median Salary Position
8.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,918 (2026 est.). At $125,391, the local median is 8.7% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ottumwa Veterinarian Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $125,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $134,828 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -8.70% less |
Veterinarians in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $125,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $134,828.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $125,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,707 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,158
2025 BLS Actual
$118,786
2026 Current Est.
$125,391
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,641 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,838 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,786 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,362 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $87,158 (2019) to $118,786 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,362 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,204 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $79,437 – $102,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,542 – $125,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,391 – $156,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,227 – $194,355 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Ottumwa
The job market in Ottumwa currently employs five veterinarians, indicating a small but stable sector. With a low cost-of-living index of 90.4, veterinarians can experience favorable take-home purchasing power compared to many other locations in the U.S. Among local employers, large animal practices and specialty referral hospitals may offer the highest salaries, particularly for those holding board certifications in surgical or internal medicine. Conversely, independent practices tend to provide less, especially for generalists. Factors leading to the pay disparity include production-based compensation agreements, which link income to generated revenue, alongside sign-on bonuses ranging between $50,000 and $150,000 designed to attract new graduates. For veterinarians in Ottumwa, pursuing board certifications and considering roles in higher-paying corporate structures could significantly enhance earning potential over time.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Ottumwa, IA in 2026?
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Career Resources
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 $118,786 for veterinariansin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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