Vet Tech salary

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

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

Hot Springs, AR
$42,513
$20.44/hr
Little Rock, AR
$41,219
$19.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHot Springs, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$42,513$41,219
Hourly Rate$20.44$19.82
Entry Level (P10)$31,892$28,918
25th Percentile$34,415$35,722
75th Percentile$50,659$47,042
Top Earner (P90)$54,214$53,330
Total Employed670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hot Springs ($42,513) and Little Rock ($41,219) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Hot SpringsLittle RockMedian Salary$42,513$41,219Entry Level (P10)$31,892$28,918Top Earner (P90)$54,214$53,330US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hot Springs and Little Rock is $1,294 (3.14%). Hot Springs's median is -14.95% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hot Springs spans $22,322,Little Rock spans $24,412. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Hot Springs
P10 (Entry)$31,892
P25$34,415
Median$42,513
P75$50,659
P90 (Top)$54,214
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, Hot Springs ($48,922 effective) pays 6.06% more than Little Rock ($46,125 effective).

Hot Springs
Nominal: $42,513
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $48,922
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 Hot Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,513/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($54,214)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,922)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • 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 Hot Springs grew 48.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.7% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Hot Springs, AR

+48.1%

$27,217 (2024) → $40,297 (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: Hot Springs or Little Rock?

Hot Springs has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $42,513/year, compared to Little Rock at $41,219/year — a difference of $1,294 (3.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hot Springs and Little Rock?

Hot Springs veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.44/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $19.82/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hot Springs and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hot Springs = $48,922, Little Rock = $46,125), job availability (6 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,892 in Hot Springs and $28,918 in Little Rock. The Hot Springs 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