Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Iowa: $49,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $49,368/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $54,611 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ames ($50,730), Des Moines ($47,780), Iowa City ($47,720).
In Iowa, veterinary technologists and technicians are projected to earn an average median salary of $49,368 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49,986, representing a gap of 1.2%. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Ames offering the highest projected earnings at $53,520, while Dubuque is at the lower end with $43,329, a difference of $10,191. This disparity is often driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the presence of larger veterinary practices or specialty clinics. State licensing requirements in Iowa necessitate graduation from an accredited program and passing a credentialing exam, which standardizes the qualifications for veterinary technicians. The state's demand drivers include a growing pet population and an increase in the awareness of pet health, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.50% for the field. Currently, there are 1,026 employed veterinary technologists and technicians in Iowa, with top cities for employment being Des Moines at $50,408, Iowa City at $50,345, West Des Moines at $49,757, and Cedar Falls at $48,714. This indicates a steady job market outlook as the profession continues to evolve with advancements in veterinary medicine and increasing public interest in animal care.
Iowa Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $34,547 (lowest entry-level) to $82,923 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa veterinary technologists and technicians earn 1.24% less than the national median ($-618/year difference).
Iowa Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Iowa range from $39,705 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,627 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,368. The Iowa median is $618 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $23.74/hr. Approximately 1,026 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,545
2025 BLS Actual
$46,794
2026 Current Est.
$49,368
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,545 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,269 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,045 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 39.5% from $33,545 (2019) to $46,794 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,538 (55.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Dubuque | $43,329 |
| Sioux City | $43,392 |
| Fort Dodge | $43,748 |
| Johnston | $44,235 |
| Ottumwa | $44,343 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $53,520 | 88.83 | $60,250 |
| West Des Moines | $49,757 | 90.4 | $55,041 |
| Iowa City | $50,345 | 91.509 | $55,016 |
| Des Moines | $50,408 | 91.701 | $54,970 |
| Waterloo | $47,697 | 87.057 | $54,788 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,705 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,368 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,627 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $53,520 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $50,408 |
| 3 | Iowa City | $50,345 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $49,757 |
| 5 | Cedar Falls | $48,714 |
| 6 | Waterloo | $47,697 |
| 7 | Davenport | $47,623 |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids | $47,106 |
| 9 | Marion | $46,864 |
| 10 | Ankeny | $46,317 |
| 11 | Council Bluffs | $46,026 |
| 12 | Burlington | $45,763 |
| 13 | Waukee | $45,597 |
| 14 | Urbandale | $45,536 |
| 15 | Bettendorf | $45,533 |
| 16 | Marshalltown | $45,392 |
| 17 | Coralville | $45,332 |
| 18 | Mason City | $45,122 |
| 19 | North Liberty | $44,945 |
| 20 | Clinton | $44,723 |
| 21 | Muscatine | $44,512 |
| 22 | Ottumwa | $44,343 |
| 23 | Johnston | $44,235 |
| 24 | Fort Dodge | $43,748 |
| 25 | Sioux City | $43,392 |
| 26 | Dubuque | $43,329 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Iowa?
How does Iowa veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Iowa?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
Written by Jordan Lee, CVT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov