Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Hot Springs, AR: $56.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Hot Springs, AR runs $56.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Hot Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,085 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hot Springs, Arkansas, veterinarians are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $56.16 in 2026. This figure places them approximately 14.95% below the national hourly median of $66.03. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the hourly rate can translate into a competitive income while preserving a better work-life balance. The hourly pay range in the area extends from $32.57 at entry-level positions to an impressive $87.04 for top earners, providing significant opportunities for growth within various practice settings. Whether in general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, or specialty referral hospitals, veterinarians in Hot Springs experience diverse environments that can influence their hourly earnings, which are estimated based on the annual salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About the Hot Springs Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.57 | $260.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.10 | $344.80 |
| Median (P50) | $56.16 | $449.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.24 | $561.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.04 | $696.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hot Springs
Based on $56.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.16/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hot Springs, AR can expect to earn approximately $116,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,390. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hot Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hot Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,246.32 | $9,734 | $116,808 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,347.79 | $5,840 | $70,085 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $898.53 | $3,894 | $46,723 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Hot Springs) | $56.16 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $116,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $119,310.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.16/hr = $70,085/year (purchasing power: $80,650).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,808/year (purchasing power: $134,417).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Hot Springs grew 36.3% from $39.04/hr (2019) to $53.20/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.28/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinarian in Hot Springs
For veterinarians in Hot Springs considering part-time work, the financial implications of a 24-hour workweek can be quite compelling compared to full-time roles. With per diem veterinarian pay in Hot Springs reflecting higher billing rates for locum tenens or relief work, hourly wages can range between $90 and $250 depending on the specialty and requirements of the position. General practices often face staffing shortages, especially on weekends, allowing for additional compensation of $150 to $200 during these shifts. Furthermore, hourly rates can differ notably across employer types; corporate practices like VCA or BluePearl may provide consistency but can have set pay scales that contrast with independent practices that could offer more flexibility or creative compensation packages. Veterinarians might weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the security of health insurance offered by corporate employers, leading to choices that reflect individual priorities and career goals. Those negotiating their pay should consider emphasizing their skill set to maximize their hourly earnings potential in this evolving landscape, where the consolidation trend in the veterinary field continues to shape opportunities and financial rewards.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinarians in Hot Springs in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinarians make in Hot Springs?
Are veterinarians in Hot Springs paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinarian make per year in Hot Springs?
Do veterinarians earn more per hour working part-time in Hot Springs?
Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinarians in Hot Springs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hot Springs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov