Vet Tech salary

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

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

Fayetteville, AR
$43,012
$20.68/hr
North Little Rock, AR
$40,610
$19.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARNorth Little Rock, AR
Median Salary$43,012$40,610
Hourly Rate$20.68$19.53
Entry Level (P10)$28,707$31,254
25th Percentile$37,431$33,657
75th Percentile$47,454$50,413
Top Earner (P90)$58,131$55,520
Total Employed7015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($43,012) and North Little Rock ($40,610) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.FayettevilleNorth Little RockMedian Salary$43,012$40,610Entry Level (P10)$28,707$31,254Top Earner (P90)$58,131$55,520US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fayetteville and North Little Rock is $2,402 (5.91%). 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,North Little Rock spans $24,266. 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
North Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$31,254
P25$33,657
Median$40,610
P75$50,413
P90 (Top)$55,520

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($47,083 effective) pays 0.75% more than North Little Rock ($46,732 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $43,012
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $47,083
North Little Rock
Nominal: $40,610
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $46,732

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)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,083)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose North 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 41.9% growth in North Little Rock over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+28.2%

$31,810 (2019) → $40,770 (2025)

North Little Rock, AR

+41.9%

$27,124 (2024) → $38,493 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fayetteville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $43,012/year, compared to North Little Rock at $40,610/year — a difference of $2,402 (5.91%).

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

Fayetteville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.68/hr while North Little Rock hygienists earn $19.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and North Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $47,083, North Little Rock = $46,732), job availability (70 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28,707 in Fayetteville and $31,254 in North Little Rock. The North 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