Veterinarian Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $116,804 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $116,804/year (≈ $56.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $134,412 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Hot Springs, AR, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $116,804 in 2026, a figure that reflects the local market conditions and is notably 14.95% less than the national median of $137,334. The salary range for the profession spans from $67,746 at the 10th percentile to $181,047 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price parity adjustments, showcase the financial prospects for vet professionals in the area. Considering the small size of the local veterinary workforce—only six employed veterinarians—this variance in pay indicates both the potential for growth within specialty areas and the competitive nature of the job market.
About the Hot Springs Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,746 | $32.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,649 | $43.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,804 | $56.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,099 | $70.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,047 | $87.04 |
Median Salary Position
14.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,301 (2026 est.). At $116,804, the local median is 14.95% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Veterinarian Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $116,804/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $119,310 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -14.95% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs 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.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $116,804 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,412 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,190
2025 BLS Actual
$110,652
2026 Current Est.
$116,804
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,366 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,824 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,652 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,804 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,299 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $81,190 (2019) to $110,652 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,299 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,109 (51.86%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,746 – $89,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,649 – $116,804 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,804 – $146,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,099 – $181,047 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Hot Springs
In analyzing the veterinarian salary in Hot Springs, a cost-of-living index of 86.9 suggests that take-home purchasing power may present a more favorable situation compared to national averages. With so few veterinarians working locally, practices specializing in small animal care, particularly corporate chains, tend to offer the highest salaries among employers. Factors influencing compensation include the level of veterinary specialty board certification, with specialists earning substantially more than general practitioners—as much as 2-3 times more—due to their advanced skills in areas like surgery or internal medicine. Production-based compensation models can also elevate earnings, especially for veterinarians generating significant revenue for large animal or mixed practices. To maximize veterinarian pay in Hot Springs, building expertise in specialties with high demand, pursuing opportunities in corporate practices, or even considering ownership stakes could enhance both salary potential and career advancement.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $110,652 for veterinariansin the Hot Springs 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 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