SOC 31-9096 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — Arkansas
Arkansas · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Arkansas is $34,570 per year, 9.4% below the national median of $38,150.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Arkansas is $34,570 per year, 9.4% below the national median of $38,150. Pay ranges from under $27,860 at the tenth percentile to more than $42,180 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,500 to $36,830.
Employment stands at 1,460, or 1.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Arkansas ranks 47th by median wage. Fayetteville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,320. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 591st of 673 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,860 | −27.0% |
| 25th | $29,500 | −22.7% |
| Median (50th) | $34,570 | −9.4% |
| 75th | $36,830 | −3.5% |
| 90th | $42,180 | +10.6% |
| Mean | $33,520 | −12.1% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $35,320 | 440 | |
| 2 | Little Rock | $35,060 | 360 | |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $32,590 | 120 | |
| 4 | Jonesboro | $30,620 | 60 | |
| 5 | Hot Springs | $30,540 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $34,570 goes as far as $39,781 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,781US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,570 a year, 9.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,860 to $42,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,460 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $35,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in Arkansas?
The median annual wage is $34,570, or $16.62 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $38,150, so pay in Arkansas is 9.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Arkansas earns more than $42,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,860 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Fayetteville, at $35,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,460 jobs in this occupation in Arkansas. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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