Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $19.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Little Rock, AR runs $19.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,219 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,740 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, Arkansas, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay stands at a median rate of $19.82, which is notably below the national median of $24.03. For those in part-time roles, working about three days a week, this translates into a manageable income sufficient to support various living needs, especially in a region with a cost of living index of 89.364. Entry-level technicians may earn around $13.90 an hour, while experienced professionals in specialized settings such as emergency care or research labs can command up to $25.64 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the diverse roles within animal care, including general practices, specialty hospitals, and even zoos or pharmaceutical research environments, providing various settings for those pursuing a career in veterinary technology.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.90 | $111.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.18 | $137.40 |
| Median (P50) | $19.82 | $158.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.62 | $180.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.64 | $205.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $19.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.82/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $41,233 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,788. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $792.94 | $3,436 | $41,233 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $475.76 | $2,062 | $24,740 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $317.18 | $1,374 | $16,493 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Little Rock) | $19.82 |
| Veterinary Assistant (National Avg) | $17.99 |
| Veterinarian (National Avg) | $60.38 |
| Animal Care and Service Worker (National Avg) | $15.87 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $41,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.54% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.10% below the Arkansas state average of $43,434.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.82/hr = $24,740/year (purchasing power: $27,684).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,233/year (purchasing power: $46,140).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Little Rock grew 14.7% from $16.38/hr (2019) to $18.79/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.91/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinary Technologist and Technician in Little Rock
Understanding the financial implications of various working arrangements is crucial for veterinary technologists and technicians. A part-time employee working 24 hours per week could take home around $25,000 annually, which differs significantly from full-time earnings. For per-diem workers, billing rates can fluctuate widely; typical pay ranges from $25 to $40 per hour for general duties, while specialty technicians with VTS credentials may see their pay increase to between $35 and $55 per hour, particularly during high-demand shifts like weekends or overnight hours. Employers vary in pay structures, with general practice clinics often providing more moderate hourly rates compared to specialty and corporate chain hospitals, where benefits are sometimes exchanged for competitive pay. Many professionals negotiate their hourly rates, trading off between slightly lower hourly wages for full-time positions that offer essential benefits and the potentially higher per-hour rates available in part-time or locum tenens roles. In Little Rock, being informed and strategic in negotiations can make a meaningful difference in earning potential.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Little Rock in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Little Rock?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Little Rock paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Little Rock?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Little Rock?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinary technologists and technicians in Little Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
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