Veterinarian Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $109,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $109,899/year (≈ $52.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $127,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, veterinarians enjoy a median annual salary of $109,899, significantly below the national median of $137,334 for 2026. The projected salary range stretches from $41,443 at the 10th percentile to $164,864 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a broad spectrum of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and practice type. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the impact of the growing demand for veterinary services in a city that has approximately 40 veterinarians employed. As corporate consolidation trends reshape the veterinary market, the specialty board certifications, particularly in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care, contribute to noticeable differences in compensation within this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,443 | $19.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,630 | $46.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,899 | $52.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,278 | $65.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,864 | $79.27 |
Median Salary Position
19.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,421 (2026 est.). At $109,899, the local median is 19.98% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be above the median
How Fort Smith Veterinarian Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $109,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $119,325 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -19.98% less |
Veterinarians in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $109,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.98% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.90% below the Arkansas state average of $119,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.888 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $109,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,956 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$70,180
2025 BLS Actual
$104,110
2026 Current Est.
$109,899
2019–2027 Growth
+65.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 48.3% from $70,180 (2019) to $104,110 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,829 (65.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,443 – $96,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,630 – $109,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,899 – $136,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,278 – $164,864 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Fort Smith
The local job market for veterinarians in Fort Smith presents opportunities, yet it is essential to consider the cost of living, which is significantly lower than the national average, with an index of 85.888. In this environment, take-home pay can stretch further, allowing for a better quality of life despite lower salaries compared to national standards. Among the highest-paying employers are specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which dominate nearly 25% of the local market. Pay disparities often arise from various factors including specialty board certification and compensation models that range from production-based earnings to ownership equity. New graduates particularly benefit from sign-on bonuses that can reach between $50,000 and $150,000 in high-need areas. To maximize earning potential in Fort Smith, veterinarians may consider pursuing specialty certifications, opting for positions with corporate entities, or exploring mixed practices that can offer diverse case loads and better economic stability.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Fort Smith, AR in 2026?
Is Fort Smith, AR a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Fort Smith?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Fort Smith?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Fort Smith?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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
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 $104,110 for veterinariansin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 5.56% 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, 7-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 5.56%, 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