Veterinarian Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $121,341 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $121,341/year (≈ $58.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $132,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, AR, the 2026 median annual veterinarian salary is projected to be $121,341, which is approximately 11.65% below the national median of $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $41,031 (P10) and experienced professionals earning up to $162,024 (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the local job market. Fayetteville’s veterinary landscape includes both general practitioners and specialists, and the presence of specialty board certifications in fields like surgery and internal medicine can substantially influence earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,031 | $19.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,632 | $52.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,341 | $58.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,104 | $66.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,024 | $77.89 |
Median Salary Position
11.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,993 (2026 est.). At $121,341, the local median is 11.65% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be above the median
How Fayetteville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $121,341/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $119,313 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -11.65% less |
Veterinarians in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $121,341 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.65% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% above the Arkansas state average of $119,313.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $121,341 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,070
2025 BLS Actual
$114,950
2026 Current Est.
$121,341
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,341 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew -5.1% from $121,070 (2019) to $114,950 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,018 (5.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $41,031 – $108,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,632 – $121,341 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,341 – $138,104 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,104 – $162,024 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Fayetteville
Currently, there are about 150 veterinarians employed in Fayetteville, a testament to the area’s growing demand for veterinary services. The cost of living index stands at 91.353, which is lower than the national average, providing veterinarians with favorable purchasing power. Variations in pay among veterinarians often stem from their workplace setting; corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher salaries compared to independent practices, while specialty hospitals and teaching institutions may also present lucrative opportunities. Specialty veterinarians tend to earn significantly more than their general practice counterparts, and factors such as production-based compensation and potential sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000, further widen the pay gap. To maximize earnings in Fayetteville, emerging veterinarians should consider pursuing advanced certifications, actively seek production-based compensation models, and explore opportunities with corporate employers that emphasize partnership track options.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $114,950 for veterinariansin the Fayetteville 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
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