Veterinarian Salary in Bentonville, AR: $117,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Bentonville, AR earns a median $117,899/year (≈ $56.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Bentonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $135,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Bentonville, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $117,899, which is lower than the projected national median of $137,334. The salary range extends from $68,382 at the 10th percentile to $182,743 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market influenced heavily by specialty certifications. Figures are derived from state-level data, incorporating regional cost adjustments that illuminate the nuances of local compensation. With the presence of both corporate and independent veterinary practices, including a notable proportion of specialty referral hospitals, the salary dynamics in Bentonville illustrate the increasing demand for certified professionals, particularly those holding board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,382 | $32.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,622 | $45.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,899 | $56.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,339 | $71.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,743 | $87.86 |
Median Salary Position
14.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bentonville
In Bentonville, AR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,361 (2026 est.). At $117,899, the local median is 14.15% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bentonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bentonville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Bentonville median: $117,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bentonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $119,331 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -14.15% less |
Veterinarians in Bentonville, AR earn a median of $117,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.15% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $119,331.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bentonville has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bentonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $117,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,672 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,951
2025 BLS Actual
$111,689
2026 Current Est.
$117,899
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,951 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,205 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,166 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,647 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,246 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,689 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bentonville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $81,951 (2019) to $111,689 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,503 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,382 – $94,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,622 – $117,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,899 – $148,339 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,339 – $182,743 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Bentonville
The job market for veterinarians in Bentonville features 12 practitioners, anchoring a community where salaries can be significantly impacted by the cost of living, which currently sits at a low index of 86.9. This means that while the raw purchasing power may appear diminished when compared to national figures, it also suggests an affordable lifestyle that might offset salary concerns. Among local employers, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl often offer competitive pay and benefits, attracting a significant portion of the workforce. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include specialty certifications versus general practice, production-based compensation models, practice ownership shares, and sign-on bonuses, which can reach as high as $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand areas. For veterinarians in Bentonville, aligning with corporate practices or pursuing specialty training could be strategic steps to enhance their earning potential and overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $111,689 for veterinariansin the Bentonville metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bentonville 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