Veterinarian Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $120,980 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $120,980/year (≈ $58.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $139,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Jonesboro, AR, veterinarians can expect to earn a median salary of $120,980 in 2026, reflecting a notable local compensation structure shaped by production-based models. The salary for this occupation spans a range from $70,169 at the 10th percentile to $187,519 at the 90th percentile. These figures represent localized estimates based on BLS state-level data and account for regional price parities, thereby illustrating the financial landscape specifically for veterinarians in this city. When considering these numbers, it's evident that the job market is robust, potentially influenced by the growing consolidation of veterinary practices and the demand for quality animal care.
About the Jonesboro Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,169 | $33.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,622 | $45.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,980 | $58.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,854 | $74.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,519 | $90.15 |
Median Salary Position
11.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,350 (2026 est.). At $120,980, the local median is 11.91% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jonesboro Veterinarian Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $120,980/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $119,310 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | -11.91% less |
Veterinarians in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $120,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.91% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.40% above the Arkansas state average of $119,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro 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.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $120,980 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,217 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,093
2025 BLS Actual
$114,608
2026 Current Est.
$120,980
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,432 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,918 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,608 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,980 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $84,093 (2019) to $114,608 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,614 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $70,169 – $93,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,622 – $120,980 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,980 – $154,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,854 – $187,519 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Jonesboro
The employment landscape for veterinarians in Jonesboro includes approximately 21 professionals actively working in various capacities. The cost of living index here is 86.9, which means potential earnings may stretch further compared to the national average. Among local employers, corporate veterinary practices like VCA and BluePearl typically offer more competitive pay, often benefiting from higher revenue generation and stability. In contrast, independent practices may struggle with tighter budgets, leading to wider pay disparities based on experience and specialty certification. Factors such as board certification in surgery or internal medicine, production-based compensation, and practice ownership also significantly impact earnings. New graduates entering this market should consider niche specialties and paths that align with corporate structures, as these often lead to enhanced pay and career growth opportunities.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Jonesboro?
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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 $114,608 for veterinariansin the Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro 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