Veterinarian jobs in Iowa from GTP

The data in our most recent salary survey shows that base salaries for Veterinarian jobs in Iowa typically span from $120,000 to $180,000. These salary brackets can fluctuate significantly depending on various factors, such as location, educational background, certifications, specialized skills, and years of experience in the field.

Upon successful completion of the NAVLE exam and graduation from an accredited College of Veterinary Medicine, individuals aspiring to become veterinarians in Iowa are required to pass the Iowa State Jurisprudence Exam and then apply through the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine.

For veterinarians seeking high-paying opportunities in Iowa, several cities stand out. Des Moines, as the largest city and state capital, hosts many veterinary practices and steadily increasing demand for their services.

Cedar Rapids is the second largest city and hosts similar advantages to Des Moines.

Salaries are primarily based on individual skills and experience, but if you know yours, Iowa will have a role for you.

In Iowa, non-veterinarians cannot legally own a veterinary practice. This is in line with the regulations in many other states that require veterinary practices to be owned and operated by licensed veterinarians.
Non-veterinarians can be involved in the business side of the practice, such as handling administrative duties, finance, or human resources. However, they cannot provide medical care or make medical decisions about the animals treated in the practice.

In Iowa, veterinary specialists earn some of the highest salaries in the field. Here’s an overview of the top earners:

Veterinary Surgeons with their expertise can earn between $120,000 and $200,000 annually, but highly specialized surgeons with more experience can earn even more. This specialization requires extensive education.

Specialists in Anesthesia can command high salaries between $100,000 and $150,000 for their expertise.

Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists are veterinarians who focus on diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the internal systems of animals. They typically have extensive training and experience in handling complex medical conditions that may involve multiple organ systems. The tend to earn high salaries, typically ranging from $110,000 to $170,000 annually plus production.

Other high-paying veterinary specialties include:

Veterinary Radiologists specialize in diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.

Pathologist Veterinarians focus on diagnosing diseases through laboratory analysis of animal tissues and fluids.

Veterinary Dentists address oral health issues, performing surgeries and other dental procedures.

These roles demand high levels of training, certification, and experience, leading to their higher pay scales compared to general veterinary practice.