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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Veterinary Nurse in Iowa is $45,293 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.
However, a Veterinary Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Veterinary Nurse Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $50,943 | $4,245 | $980 | $24 |
| Average | $45,293 | $3,774 | $871 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,013 | $3,501 | $808 | $20 |
Norco Animal Hospital - NORCO, CA
Animal Outpatient Specialty Network - LAKE OSWEGO, OR
Amarillo Veterinary Clinic - AMARILLO, TX
Companion Veterinary Services - WOODWARD, OK
A Veterinary Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Veterinary Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Veterinary Nurse | $43,990 |
| Intermediate Level Veterinary Nurse | $44,236 |
| Senior Level Veterinary Nurse | $44,973 |
| Specialist Level Veterinary Nurse | $47,171 |
| Expert Level Veterinary Nurse | $48,266 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Veterinary Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Veterinary Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $49,705. While startup companies pay approximate $42,133.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $42,133 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $44,537 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $48,022 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $49,705 |
For Veterinary Nurse roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Hospitality & Leisure sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Veterinary Nurse positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Veterinary Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $58,881 | $28.0 | 30% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | $54,352 | $26.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $49,822 | $24.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Veterinary Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $50,943 | $4,245 | $980 | $24 |
| Average | $45,293 | $3,774 | $871 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,013 | $3,501 | $808 | $20 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Veterinary Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
York Veterinary Services
YORK, SC
York Veterinary Services | YORK, SC
York Veterinary Services in York, NE seeks a Licensed Veterinary Technician to provide compassionate nursing care for small animal patients in our full-ser... more
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SANTA CLARITA, CA
Community Veterinary Partners | SANTA CLARITA, CA
Now Hiring: Veterinary Customer Service Representative Are you passionate about animals and enjoy helping people. Join our compassionate and dedicated vete... more
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Waukee-Clive Veterinary Clinic
CLIVE, IA
Waukee-Clive Veterinary Clinic | CLIVE, IA
Waukee-Clive Veterinary Clinic seeks a Registered Veterinary Technician to support small-animal preventive care, diagnostics, surgery, and dentistry in a c... more
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PawMed Veterinary Urgent Care
ADAMS RUN, SC
PawMed Veterinary Urgent Care | ADAMS RUN, SC
PawMed Veterinary Urgent Care (Charleston) is seeking a Licensed Veterinary Technician to join our modern, fast-paced urgent care team for dogs and cats. I... more
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Plum Creek Veterinary Services
SEDALIA, CO
Plum Creek Veterinary Services | SEDALIA, CO
Plum Creek Veterinary Services in Sedalia, CO is seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician to support high-quality care for companion animals and livestoc... more
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Seatown Veterinary Care
GREENWOOD, WA
Seatown Veterinary Care | GREENWOOD, WA
Seatown Veterinary Care, a small animal clinic in Seattle, seeks a Licensed Veterinary Technician to provide high-quality nursing care for dogs and cats. R... more
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