Vet Tech salary

Bentonville vs Fayetteville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Bentonville, AR and Fayetteville, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bentonville, AR
$42,912
$20.64/hr
Fayetteville, AR
$43,012
$20.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBentonville, ARFayetteville, AR
Median Salary$42,912$43,012
Hourly Rate$20.64$20.68
Entry Level (P10)$30,637$28,707
25th Percentile$36,215$37,431
75th Percentile$51,412$47,454
Top Earner (P90)$55,352$58,131
Total Employed1270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bentonville ($42,912) and Fayetteville ($43,012) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BentonvilleFayettevilleMedian Salary$42,912$43,012Entry Level (P10)$30,637$28,707Top Earner (P90)$55,352$58,131US Median $49,986

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bentonville.

The salary gap between Bentonville and Fayetteville is $100 (0.23%). Fayetteville's median is -13.95% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bentonville spans $24,715,Fayetteville spans $29,424. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Bentonville
P10 (Entry)$30,637
P25$36,215
Median$42,912
P75$51,412
P90 (Top)$55,352
Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$28,707
P25$37,431
Median$43,012
P75$47,454
P90 (Top)$58,131

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bentonville ($49,381 effective) pays 4.88% more than Fayetteville ($47,083 effective).

Bentonville
Nominal: $42,912
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $49,381
Fayetteville
Nominal: $43,012
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $47,083

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bentonville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,381)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,012/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,131)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Bentonville grew 48.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.2% growth in Fayetteville over the same period.

Bentonville, AR

+48.1%

$27,472 (2024) → $40,675 (2025)

Fayetteville, AR

+28.2%

$31,810 (2019) → $40,770 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Bentonville or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $43,012/year, compared to Bentonville at $42,912/year — a difference of $100 (0.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bentonville and Fayetteville?

Bentonville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.64/hr while Fayetteville hygienists earn $20.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bentonville to Fayetteville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bentonville and Fayetteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bentonville = $49,381, Fayetteville = $47,083), job availability (12 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Bentonville vs Fayetteville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30,637 in Bentonville and $28,707 in Fayetteville. The Bentonville area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CVT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov