Vet Tech salary

Fayetteville vs Little Rock: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Fayetteville, AR
$43,012
$20.68/hr
Little Rock, AR
$41,219
$19.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$43,012$41,219
Hourly Rate$20.68$19.82
Entry Level (P10)$28,707$28,918
25th Percentile$37,431$35,722
75th Percentile$47,454$47,042
Top Earner (P90)$58,131$53,330
Total Employed7070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($43,012) and Little Rock ($41,219) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.FayettevilleLittle RockMedian Salary$43,012$41,219Entry Level (P10)$28,707$28,918Top Earner (P90)$58,131$53,330US Median $49,986

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Little Rock.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Little Rock is $1,793 (4.35%). 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 Fayetteville spans $29,424,Little Rock spans $24,412. 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
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$28,918
P25$35,722
Median$41,219
P75$47,042
P90 (Top)$53,330

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($47,083 effective) pays 2.08% more than Little Rock ($46,125 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $43,012
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $47,083
Little Rock
Nominal: $41,219
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $46,125

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,012/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,131)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,083)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • 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 14.7% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+28.2%

$31,810 (2019) → $40,770 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+14.7%

$34,060 (2019) → $39,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fayetteville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $43,012/year, compared to Little Rock at $41,219/year — a difference of $1,793 (4.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Little Rock?

Fayetteville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.68/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $19.82/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $47,083, Little Rock = $46,125), job availability (70 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28,707 in Fayetteville and $28,918 in Little Rock. The Little Rock 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