Veterinarian Salary in North Little Rock, AR: $111,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in North Little Rock, AR earns a median $111,625/year (≈ $53.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in North Little Rock's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $128,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in North Little Rock, AR, can expect a median annual salary of $111,625, which reflects an 18.72% lower rate compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession locally stretches from a lower percentile of $65,202 to a high of $173,019, allowing for variations based on experience, specialty, and specific practice types. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data alongside regional cost adjustments, indicating that the economic context in North Little Rock shapes local compensation. Although the local salary figures appear lower than the national average, they still present a viable opportunity for veterinarians as they navigate their careers in a competitive job market.
About the North Little Rock Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,202 | $31.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,893 | $42.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,625 | $53.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,881 | $68.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,019 | $83.18 |
Median Salary Position
18.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Little Rock
In North Little Rock, AR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,817 (2026 est.). At $111,625, the local median is 18.72% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Little Rock Veterinarian Pay Compares
North Little Rock median: $111,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $119,386 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -18.72% less |
Veterinarians in North Little Rock, AR earn a median of $111,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.72% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 6.50% below the Arkansas state average of $119,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Little Rock 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.
North Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $111,625 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,452 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,590
2025 BLS Actual
$105,746
2026 Current Est.
$111,625
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in North Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,671 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,581 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,805 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,676 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,746 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Little Rock metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $77,590 (2019) to $105,746 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,242 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Little Rock 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) | $65,202 – $87,893 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,893 – $111,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,625 – $142,881 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,881 – $173,019 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in North Little Rock
With only 15 veterinarians currently employed in North Little Rock, the job market remains relatively niche. The cost-of-living index at 86.9 suggests a more affordable standard of living compared to many other areas, which can enhance the take-home purchasing power for residents. Among local employers, corporate clinics such as VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher salaries compared to independent practices, reflecting the trend of corporate consolidation in veterinary care. Factors influencing compensation variances include specialty board certifications, production-based pay models that tie earnings to revenue generation, and various employer structures. In this market, young veterinarians should consider pursuing specialties or production-related incentives, as these strategies can lead to higher earnings, particularly as sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 are common for new graduates entering shortage areas.
More salary data for North Little Rock, 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 $105,746 for veterinariansin the North Little Rock 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 North Little Rock 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