Veterinarian Salary in Russellville, AR: $115,341 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Russellville, AR earns a median $115,341/year (≈ $55.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Russellville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $132,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Russellville, AR, can expect a median annual salary of $115,341 in 2026, reflecting a significant gap when compared to the national median of $137,334. The projected salary range for veterinarians in this area spans from $72,058 at the 10th percentile to $178,779 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential salary growth for those with advanced qualifications, such as specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost of living considerations in Russellville, which plays a pivotal role in influencing local veterinarian pay as the job market primarily supports six veterinarians currently employed in this community.
About the Russellville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,058 | $34.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,776 | $45.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,341 | $55.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,876 | $70.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,779 | $85.95 |
Median Salary Position
16.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Russellville
In Russellville, AR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,721 (2026 est.). At $115,341, the local median is 16.01% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Russellville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Russellville Veterinarian Pay Compares
Russellville median: $115,341/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Russellville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $119,401 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -16.01% less |
Veterinarians in Russellville, AR earn a median of $115,341 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.01% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $119,401.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Russellville 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.
Russellville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $115,341 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,728 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,173
2025 BLS Actual
$109,266
2026 Current Est.
$115,341
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,173 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,356 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,297 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,724 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,028 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,947 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,341 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Russellville metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $80,173 (2019) to $109,266 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,581 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Russellville 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) | $72,058 – $93,776 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,776 – $115,341 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,341 – $146,876 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,876 – $178,779 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Russellville
The job market for veterinarians in Russellville is shaped by the relatively low cost of living, with a Cost of Living Index of 86.9, which can enhance purchasing power despite the regional salary figures. Many local employers who pay competitively include both corporate chains such as VCA and independent practices, particularly in small animal care, where the market is about 25% corporate. Notably, services requiring advanced skills and board certifications tend to command higher salaries. Additionally, pay disparities can be attributed to variables such as practice ownership equity, production-based compensation models, and enticing sign-on bonuses that range between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates entering shortage areas. For veterinarians in Russellville, diversifying skills and seeking out specialty training might be the most effective strategy to maximize earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Russellville, 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 $109,266 for veterinariansin the Russellville 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 Russellville 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