Veterinarian Salary in Arkansas: $116,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $116,794/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $134,400 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($116,831), Springdale ($116,748), Fayetteville ($114,950).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinarians in Arkansas is projected at $116,794, which is approximately 15.0% lower than the national median of $137,334. Within the state, there is a significant salary gap; the highest paying city, Rogers, offers an average salary of $123,327, while Fort Smith, the lowest, has a median salary of $109,899. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, the local demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of pet owners in urban areas. To practice in Arkansas, veterinarians must meet state licensing requirements, which include passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and fulfilling continuing education mandates. The state's scope of practice laws allow for a diverse range of services, contributing to the demand for veterinary professionals. The projected annual growth rate for veterinary employment in Arkansas is 5.56%, indicating a steady demand for veterinarians in the coming years. Key cities for veterinary employment include Springdale at $123,239, Fayetteville at $121,341, Jonesboro at $120,980, and Jacksonville at $118,481, indicating a healthy job market for aspiring veterinarians in the region.
Arkansas Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $40,113 (lowest entry-level) to $191,156 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas veterinarians earn 14.96% less than the national median ($-20,540/year difference).
Arkansas Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Arkansas range from $50,122 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $167,319 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $116,794. The Arkansas median is $20,540 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $56.15/hr. Approximately 468 veterinarians are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,660
2025 BLS Actual
$110,642
2026 Current Est.
$116,794
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,637 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,503 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,642 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 27.7% from $86,660 (2019) to $110,642 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,627 (42.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $109,899 |
| Van Buren | $110,778 |
| Conway | $110,891 |
| North Little Rock | $111,625 |
| Bryant | $112,770 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $123,327 | 86.9 | $141,918 |
| Springdale | $123,239 | 86.9 | $141,817 |
| Jonesboro | $120,980 | 86.9 | $139,217 |
| Jacksonville | $118,481 | 86.9 | $136,342 |
| Bentonville | $117,899 | 86.9 | $135,672 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,122 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $116,794 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $167,319 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $123,327 |
| 2 | Springdale | $123,239 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $121,341 |
| 4 | Jonesboro | $120,980 |
| 5 | Jacksonville | $118,481 |
| 6 | Bentonville | $117,899 |
| 7 | Benton | $116,916 |
| 8 | Hot Springs | $116,804 |
| 9 | Paragould | $116,583 |
| 10 | Pine Bluff | $116,490 |
| 11 | Sherwood | $115,952 |
| 12 | Russellville | $115,341 |
| 13 | Cabot | $114,823 |
| 14 | Texarkana | $114,794 |
| 15 | Searcy | $113,623 |
| 16 | Little Rock | $113,298 |
| 17 | Bryant | $112,770 |
| 18 | North Little Rock | $111,625 |
| 19 | Conway | $110,891 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $110,778 |
| 21 | Fort Smith | $109,899 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Arkansas?
How many veterinarians are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
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 5.56% 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 veterinarian compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute 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 5.56%, 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