Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Searcy, AR: $54.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Searcy, AR runs $54.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,623 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Searcy's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,175 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Searcy, Arkansas, the projected veterinarian hourly pay in 2026 is set at $54.63, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $66.03. This pay scale translates into varying earning potentials across different work arrangements. For part-time veterinarians working three days a week, averaging 24 hours, their earnings will be significantly impacted by this hourly rate. Many veterinarians operate within various environments such as general practice exam rooms, surgical suites, specialty referral hospital wards, and even university teaching hospital clinics. The hourly range for this profession in Searcy can vary from $32.10 for entry-level positions to approximately $82.69 for top earners, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities within the veterinary field.
About the Searcy Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.10 | $256.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.85 | $342.77 |
| Median (P50) | $54.63 | $437.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.34 | $530.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.69 | $661.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Searcy
Based on $54.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.63/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Searcy, AR can expect to earn approximately $113,625 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,553. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Searcy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Searcy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,185.09 | $9,469 | $113,625 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,311.06 | $5,681 | $68,175 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $874.04 | $3,787 | $45,450 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Searcy) | $54.63 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Searcy, AR earn a median of $113,623 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.27% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.80% below the Arkansas state average of $119,352.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.63/hr = $68,175/year (purchasing power: $78,452).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,625/year (purchasing power: $130,753).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Searcy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Searcy grew 36.3% from $37.97/hr (2019) to $51.75/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Searcy 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 5.56% 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 Veterinarian in Searcy
Considering the earning potential, part-time veterinarians in Searcy can expect to bring home a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts, which can influence their lifestyle choices. The per diem veterinarian pay in Searcy can differ widely, particularly for relief veterinarians who may find themselves billing between $90 to $140 per hour at general practices. Specialty relief positions, such as those in surgery or emergency and critical care, have been known to hit hourly rates of $150 to $250, particularly during peak demand periods like weekends. Furthermore, remuneration can shift based on workplace type—from corporate chains to independent practices, large animal facilities, and specialty hospitals. Each employer type presents unique financial and benefits trade-offs that veterinarians must consider when negotiating their pay. In a competitive field shaped by recent corporate consolidations, veterinarians often need to assess whether they prioritize health insurance and benefits over higher hourly rates, or vice versa, making negotiation skills essential in Searcy’s evolving veterinary market.
More salary data for Searcy, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinarians in Searcy. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Searcy is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov