Vet Tech salary

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

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

Little Rock, AR
$41,219
$19.82/hr
Russellville, AR
$41,981
$20.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARRussellville, AR
Median Salary$41,219$41,981
Hourly Rate$19.82$20.18
Entry Level (P10)$28,918$34,256
25th Percentile$35,722$35,895
75th Percentile$47,042$50,973
Top Earner (P90)$53,330$55,092
Total Employed706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($41,219) and Russellville ($41,981) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Little RockRussellvilleMedian Salary$41,219$41,981Entry Level (P10)$28,918$34,256Top Earner (P90)$53,330$55,092US Median $49,986

Verdict

Russellville, 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 Russellville is $762 (1.85%). Russellville's median is -16.01% 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,Russellville spans $20,836. Little Rock has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$28,918
P25$35,722
Median$41,219
P75$47,042
P90 (Top)$53,330
Russellville
P10 (Entry)$34,256
P25$35,895
Median$41,981
P75$50,973
P90 (Top)$55,092

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Russellville ($48,310 effective) pays 4.74% more than Little Rock ($46,125 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $41,219
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $46,125
Russellville
Nominal: $41,981
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $48,310

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 Russellville if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,981/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($55,092)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,310)
  • 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 Russellville over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+14.7%

$34,060 (2019) → $39,070 (2025)

Russellville, AR

+48.1%

$26,876 (2024) → $39,792 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Russellville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $41,981/year, compared to Little Rock at $41,219/year — a difference of $762 (1.85%).

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

Little Rock veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.82/hr while Russellville hygienists earn $20.18/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Russellville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $46,125, Russellville = $48,310), job availability (70 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28,918 in Little Rock and $34,256 in Russellville. The Russellville 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