1

Large Animal Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Provide day-to-day operational leadership for the Large Animal Hospital clinical support team. * Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop veterinary technicians, animal caretakers, and student employees ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Large Animal information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$19

$26

How much do large animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for large animal in Iowa is $19.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $23.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by large animal veterinarians, and how are they addressed?

Large Animal Veterinarians often work in rural environments and may need to travel long distances to farms and ranches, which can make responding to emergencies challenging, especially during adverse weather or off-hours. They frequently work with animals much larger and sometimes less predictable than traditional pets, requiring careful handling techniques and safety precautions. To address these challenges, veterinarians typically receive extensive hands-on training and utilize proper equipment for animal restraint and transport. Many practices also foster a collaborative team environment where veterinarians consult with colleagues and vet technicians to solve complex cases. Staying updated with continued education and participating in industry networks helps professionals manage these demands and deliver excellent animal care.

What is a large animal?

A Large Animal job typically involves working with livestock and farm animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs. Professionals in these roles, including veterinarians and technicians, focus on animal health, nutrition, reproduction, and disease prevention. They may work on farms, ranches, or veterinary clinics, providing medical care and management support. This job requires knowledge of animal behavior, handling techniques, and sometimes physical endurance for fieldwork.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the large animal position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Large Animal Veterinarian, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, a state veterinary license, and strong knowledge of livestock anatomy, diseases, and treatment protocols. Proficiency in specialized diagnostic tools such as ultrasound machines, mobile lab equipment, and the use of herd management software is often required. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and physical stamina are valuable soft skills in handling both animals and clients. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality care, ensuring animal welfare, and maintaining strong working relationships with farmers and ranchers in diverse, often challenging environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Large Animal jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Large Animal jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Large Animal jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Large Animal job openings:

Infographic showing various Large Animal job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,124 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Veterinary Technician I - Large Animal

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Iowa State University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

385th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Title:Veterinary Technician I - Large AnimalJob Group:MeritRequired Minimum Qualifications: Associate or Bachelor's degree in a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and Registered, licensed, or certified as a veterinary technician within one year of the start date.Job Description:

Are you passionate about animal health and ready to build hands on experience in a large animal hospital setting? The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University is seeking Veterinary Technicians to join our Large Animal Hospital.

We are hiring for multiple roles across ICU and Food Animal services, supporting 24 hour patient care in a collaborative academic teaching environment.

Current Openings:

  • Equine ICU
  • Food Animal

Why Join Our Team:

  • Work in a leading veterinary teaching hospital.
  • Gain hands on experience with complex and high acuity cases.
  • Learn from board certified specialists and experienced clinicians.
  • Contribute to training future veterinarians.
  • Build advanced technical and clinical skills.

Position Details:

  • On call requirement: Yes, including weekends and holidays, typically 3 to 5 shifts per month supporting equine and food animal ICU and surgical care.
  • Work environment: On site, hands on clinical setting within the Large Animal Hospital.
  • Residency requirement: Must live within a reasonable distance to meet on call expectations.
  • Ability to work with and safely handle large animals in a physically active clinical environment.

These roles support high quality patient care while contributing to the teaching mission of the hospital.

What You Will Do:

  • Perform advanced technical procedures and assist in surgical, medical, and diagnostic care for large animal species under faculty and clinician direction.
  • Provide patient care including monitoring vitals, administering medications, and supporting recovery for hospitalized and critical patients.
  • Assist with ICU cases and ongoing treatment plans to ensure continuity of care.
  • Demonstrate and teach proper restraint techniques, diagnostic procedures, and clinical skills to veterinary students and house officers.
  • Collaborate daily with clinicians, residents, interns, and students to coordinate patient care and hospital operations.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot medical equipment, manage inventory, and ensure clean, organized, and safe workspaces.

Work Environment:

These roles support different areas within the Large Animal Hospital:

  • Equine ICU roles focus on intensive care and monitoring of hospitalized equine patients.
  • Food Animal roles involve working with a wider variety of species and a higher volume of patients in a fast paced clinical setting.

About the Department:

The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University is home to a leading Large Animal Hospital that supports clinical care, teaching, and research across equine and food animal medicine. The hospital provides comprehensive services for a wide range of large animal species and plays a key role in training veterinary students, interns, and residents.

Team members work closely with board certified specialists, house officers, and students in a hands on clinical environment, contributing to both patient care and the educational mission of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience placing catheters in large animal patients.
  • Experience administering medications via IV, IM, SQ, or oral routes.
  • Experience monitoring anesthesia or assisting with surgical procedures.
  • Experience collecting and processing diagnostic samples including blood, urine, and fecal samples.
  • Experience with large animal handling and restraint techniques (equine and or food animal species)


Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

  • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

  • Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans

  • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

  • Life insurance and long-term disability

  • Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Various voluntary benefits and discounts

  • Employee Assistance Program

  • Wellbeing program

  • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:RegularNumber of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:Full timePay Grade:7601aOriginal Posting Date:July 7, 2026Posting Close Date:Job Requisition Number:R19578

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.


What Iowa State University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom