Veterinarian Salary

Conway vs Little Rock: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Conway, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Conway, AR
$110,891
$53.31/hr
Little Rock, AR
$113,298
$54.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConway, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$110,891$113,298
Hourly Rate$53.31$54.47
Entry Level (P10)$64,317$40,113
25th Percentile$86,453$84,722
75th Percentile$141,203$131,939
Top Earner (P90)$171,881$156,778
Total Employed14120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conway ($110,891) and Little Rock ($113,298) veterinarian salaries.ConwayLittle RockMedian Salary$110,891$113,298Entry Level (P10)$64,317$40,113Top Earner (P90)$171,881$156,778US Median $137,334

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Conway and Little Rock is $2,407 (2.17%). Little Rock's median is -17.50% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conway spans $107,564,Little Rock spans $116,665. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Conway
P10 (Entry)$64,317
P25$86,453
Median$110,891
P75$141,203
P90 (Top)$171,881
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$40,113
P25$84,722
Median$113,298
P75$131,939
P90 (Top)$156,778

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conway ($127,608 effective) pays 0.65% more than Little Rock ($126,783 effective).

Conway
Nominal: $110,891
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $127,608
Little Rock
Nominal: $113,298
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $126,783

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conway if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($171,881)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $127,608)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,298/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Conway grew 32.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Conway, AR

+32.7%

$79,151 (2024) → $105,050 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+13.1%

$94,900 (2019) → $107,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Conway or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median veterinarian salary at $113,298/year, compared to Conway at $110,891/year — a difference of $2,407 (2.17%).

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

Conway veterinarians earn $53.31/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $54.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conway to Little Rock as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conway and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conway = $127,608, Little Rock = $126,783), job availability (14 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Conway vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $64,317 in Conway and $40,113 in Little Rock. The Conway area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% 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 Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov