Veterinarian Salary

Conway vs Fayetteville: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Conway, AR and Fayetteville, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Conway, AR
$110,891
$53.31/hr
Fayetteville, AR
$121,341
$58.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConway, ARFayetteville, AR
Median Salary$110,891$121,341
Hourly Rate$53.31$58.33
Entry Level (P10)$64,317$41,031
25th Percentile$86,453$108,632
75th Percentile$141,203$138,104
Top Earner (P90)$171,881$162,024
Total Employed14150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conway ($110,891) and Fayetteville ($121,341) veterinarian salaries.ConwayFayettevilleMedian Salary$110,891$121,341Entry Level (P10)$64,317$41,031Top Earner (P90)$171,881$162,024US Median $137,334

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Conway and Fayetteville is $10,450 (9.42%). Fayetteville's median is -11.65% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conway spans $107,564,Fayetteville spans $120,993. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Conway
P10 (Entry)$64,317
P25$86,453
Median$110,891
P75$141,203
P90 (Top)$171,881
Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$41,031
P25$108,632
Median$121,341
P75$138,104
P90 (Top)$162,024

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($132,827 effective) pays 4.09% more than Conway ($127,608 effective).

Conway
Nominal: $110,891
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $127,608
Fayetteville
Nominal: $121,341
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $132,827

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conway if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($171,881)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,341/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,827)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Conway grew 32.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.1% growth in Fayetteville over the same period.

Conway, AR

+32.7%

$79,151 (2024) → $105,050 (2025)

Fayetteville, AR

+-5.1%

$121,070 (2019) → $114,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Conway or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has a higher median veterinarian salary at $121,341/year, compared to Conway at $110,891/year — a difference of $10,450 (9.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conway and Fayetteville?

Conway veterinarians earn $53.31/hr while Fayetteville hygienists earn $58.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conway to Fayetteville as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conway and Fayetteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conway = $127,608, Fayetteville = $132,827), job availability (14 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Conway vs Fayetteville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $64,317 in Conway and $41,031 in Fayetteville. The Conway area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov