Vet Tech salary

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

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

Fayetteville, AR
$43,012
$20.68/hr
Jacksonville, AR
$43,124
$20.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARJacksonville, AR
Median Salary$43,012$43,124
Hourly Rate$20.68$20.73
Entry Level (P10)$28,707$33,562
25th Percentile$37,431$35,671
75th Percentile$47,454$52,125
Top Earner (P90)$58,131$56,205
Total Employed707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($43,012) and Jacksonville ($43,124) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.FayettevilleJacksonvilleMedian Salary$43,012$43,124Entry Level (P10)$28,707$33,562Top Earner (P90)$58,131$56,205US Median $49,986

Verdict

Fayetteville and Jacksonville are closely matched on overall veterinary technologist and technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Jacksonville is $112 (0.26%). Jacksonville's median is -13.73% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $29,424,Jacksonville spans $22,643. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$28,707
P25$37,431
Median$43,012
P75$47,454
P90 (Top)$58,131
Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$33,562
P25$35,671
Median$43,124
P75$52,125
P90 (Top)$56,205

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jacksonville ($49,625 effective) pays 5.40% more than Fayetteville ($47,083 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $43,012
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $47,083
Jacksonville
Nominal: $43,124
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $49,625

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,131)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Jacksonville if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,124/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,625)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Fayetteville grew 28.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.1% growth in Jacksonville over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+28.2%

$31,810 (2019) → $40,770 (2025)

Jacksonville, AR

+48.1%

$27,607 (2024) → $40,876 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Jacksonville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $43,124/year, compared to Fayetteville at $43,012/year — a difference of $112 (0.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Jacksonville?

Fayetteville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.68/hr while Jacksonville hygienists earn $20.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Jacksonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $47,083, Jacksonville = $49,625), job availability (70 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28,707 in Fayetteville and $33,562 in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville 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