Veterinarians Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $111,910 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $53.80
10th percentile $74,770
90th percentile $174,430
Employed locally 90
National median $125,510

Compare Veterinarians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Veterinarians
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $74,770
    25th
    $88,450
    50th (median)
    $111,910
    75th
    $150,110
    90th
    $174,430

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinarians salary vs area income 157% Median Veterinarians salary is 57% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Veterinarians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $187,990
    Napa, CA $179,080
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $175,050
    Salinas, CA $168,330
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $165,060
    Anchorage, AK $164,220

    Nearby metros — Veterinarians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $162,930
    California $158,950
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $157,860
    District of Columbia $153,200
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $137,970
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $134,820

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $72,920
    Veterinary Technologists and Technicians $48,800
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $63,020
    Pharmacy Technicians $40,030
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $52,520
    Physical Therapists $86,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Veterinarians make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Veterinarians in Ames, IA is $53.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $96.24 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Veterinarians salaries?

    The median Veterinarians salary in Ames, IA is 10.8% below the national median of $125,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Veterinarians in Ames?

    Entry-level Veterinarians (10th percentile) earn around $74,770 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $88,450.