Veterinarian Salary in Des Moines, WA: $165,651 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Des Moines, WA earns a median $165,651/year (≈ $79.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $154,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Des Moines, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $165,651, a robust figure that reflects the production-based compensation model prevalent in the field. This model means that a veterinarian's effective pay is significantly influenced by the revenue they generate, which is key to understanding the market dynamics in this area. The salary for veterinarians here ranges from $96,078 at the 10th percentile to $256,759 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, including adjustments for local cost factors, which play a vital role in the job market for veterinarians in Des Moines. With a healthy growth rate of 5.56%, the demand for veterinary professionals seems poised for continued strength in this community.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,078 | $46.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,641 | $62.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $165,651 | $79.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,625 | $100.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $256,759 | $123.44 |
Median Salary Position
20.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $160,681 (2026 est.). At $165,651, the local median is 20.62% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Veterinarian Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $165,651/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $167,155 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +20.62% more |
Veterinarians in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $165,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.62% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $167,155.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $165,651 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,237 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,143
2025 BLS Actual
$156,926
2026 Current Est.
$165,651
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,143 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,066 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,552 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,658 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,099 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,926 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,651 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $115,143 (2019) to $156,926 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,718 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $96,078 – $129,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,641 – $165,651 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $165,651 – $209,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,625 – $256,759 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Des Moines
The local job market in Des Moines features a small pool of seven employed veterinarians, which can create competitive dynamics for hires. The cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, signaling that living expenses are above the national average, which impacts take-home pay and overall purchasing power in the region. Among the various employers, large corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl represent approximately 25% of the market, often offering competitive pay and additional incentives like sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas. Factors that contribute to the wide salary range include specialty board certification in areas like surgery or internal medicine, production-based pay structures, and the differences between corporate and independent practices. To maximize earnings in Des Moines, professionals should consider pursuing specialty training, actively participating in performance-based revenue sharing in corporate settings, or exploring ownership opportunities within independent practices.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
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 $156,926 for veterinariansin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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