Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Little Rock, AR: $41,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Little Rock, AR earns a median $41,219/year (≈ $19.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $46,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, AR, the 2026 median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $41,219, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49,986, highlighting a salary gap of 17.54%. The salary range for this profession in the area varies from $28,918 at the 10th percentile to $53,330 at the 90th percentile, strongly indicating that specialized credentials can greatly impact earning potential. Those pursuing a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) path—particularly in areas like emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia—can expect to command higher wages, enhancing their appeal to employers. This data derives from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for 2025, projected to 2026, giving an insightful overview of the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Little Rock.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,918 | $13.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,722 | $17.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,219 | $19.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,042 | $22.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,330 | $25.64 |
Median Salary Position
17.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,412 (2026 est.). At $41,219, the local median is 17.54% below the national median of $49,986.
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How Little Rock Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $41,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $43,434 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -17.54% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $41,219 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,060
2025 BLS Actual
$39,070
2026 Current Est.
$41,219
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 14.7% from $34,060 (2019) to $39,070 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,426 (27.67%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $28,918 – $35,722 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,722 – $41,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,219 – $47,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,042 – $53,330 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Little Rock
The local job market for veterinary technologists and technicians employs about 70 professionals, reflecting a specialized niche within the veterinary sector. With a cost-of-living index of 89.364, Little Rock offers lower living expenses compared to the national average, allowing for greater purchasing power with the salaries available. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are specialty referral hospitals focused on surgery or emergency care, which often pay significantly more than general practice veterinary clinics. The variation in salary is driven by factors including specialized credentialing (such as VTS), the corporate pay scales of chains like VCA or BluePearl, and the level of experience or leadership roles. To maximize pay in this market, aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians should consider obtaining specialty certifications and gaining experience in high-demand settings, as these credentials can dramatically increase wages and job opportunities within veterinary technologist and technician pay in Little Rock, AR.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,070 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Little Rock metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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