Veterinarian Salary

Fayetteville vs Texarkana: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Texarkana, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$121,341
$58.33/hr
Texarkana, AR
$114,794
$55.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARTexarkana, AR
Median Salary$121,341$114,794
Hourly Rate$58.33$55.19
Entry Level (P10)$41,031$70,823
25th Percentile$108,632$92,671
75th Percentile$138,104$145,539
Top Earner (P90)$162,024$177,931
Total Employed1507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($121,341) and Texarkana ($114,794) veterinarian salaries.FayettevilleTexarkanaMedian Salary$121,341$114,794Entry Level (P10)$41,031$70,823Top Earner (P90)$162,024$177,931US Median $137,334

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Texarkana.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Texarkana is $6,547 (5.70%). Fayetteville's median is -11.65% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $120,993,Texarkana spans $107,108. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$41,031
P25$108,632
Median$121,341
P75$138,104
P90 (Top)$162,024
Texarkana
P10 (Entry)$70,823
P25$92,671
Median$114,794
P75$145,539
P90 (Top)$177,931

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($132,827 effective) pays 0.55% more than Texarkana ($132,099 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $121,341
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $132,827
Texarkana
Nominal: $114,794
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $132,099

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,341/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,827)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Texarkana if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($177,931)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Fayetteville grew -5.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.4% growth in Texarkana over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+-5.1%

$121,070 (2019) → $114,950 (2025)

Texarkana, AR

+38.4%

$78,573 (2024) → $108,748 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Fayetteville or Texarkana?

Fayetteville has a higher median veterinarian salary at $121,341/year, compared to Texarkana at $114,794/year — a difference of $6,547 (5.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Texarkana?

Fayetteville veterinarians earn $58.33/hr while Texarkana hygienists earn $55.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Texarkana as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Texarkana. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $132,827, Texarkana = $132,099), job availability (150 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Fayetteville vs Texarkana?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $41,031 in Fayetteville and $70,823 in Texarkana. The Texarkana 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