Vet Tech salary

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

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

Little Rock, AR
$41,219
$19.82/hr
Paragould, AR
$42,433
$20.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARParagould, AR
Median Salary$41,219$42,433
Hourly Rate$19.82$20.40
Entry Level (P10)$28,918$31,876
25th Percentile$35,722$35,893
75th Percentile$47,042$52,060
Top Earner (P90)$53,330$56,569
Total Employed707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($41,219) and Paragould ($42,433) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Little RockParagouldMedian Salary$41,219$42,433Entry Level (P10)$28,918$31,876Top Earner (P90)$53,330$56,569US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Little Rock and Paragould is $1,214 (2.95%). Paragould's median is -15.11% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Little Rock spans $24,412,Paragould spans $24,693. Paragould has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$28,918
P25$35,722
Median$41,219
P75$47,042
P90 (Top)$53,330
Paragould
P10 (Entry)$31,876
P25$35,893
Median$42,433
P75$52,060
P90 (Top)$56,569

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Paragould ($48,830 effective) pays 5.86% more than Little Rock ($46,125 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $41,219
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $46,125
Paragould
Nominal: $42,433
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $48,830

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Paragould if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,433/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($56,569)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,830)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Little Rock grew 14.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.1% growth in Paragould over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+14.7%

$34,060 (2019) → $39,070 (2025)

Paragould, AR

+48.1%

$27,165 (2024) → $40,221 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Paragould has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $42,433/year, compared to Little Rock at $41,219/year — a difference of $1,214 (2.95%).

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

Little Rock veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.82/hr while Paragould hygienists earn $20.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Paragould. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $46,125, Paragould = $48,830), job availability (70 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28,918 in Little Rock and $31,876 in Paragould. The Paragould 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