Healthcare Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Veterinarian Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median veterinarian salary in Fort Smith, AR is $80,543 per year, which is 22% below the national median and 4.9% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$80,543
vs State Avg
$-4,130
vs National
$-22,717
Cost of Living
80%

Veterinarian Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median veterinarian salary of $80,543, which is $4,130 below the Arkansas state average of $84,673. Compared to the national median of $103,260, Fort Smith pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Smith's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $80,543 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $100,679 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for veterinarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for veterinarians in Fort Smith spans from $50,856 at the 10th percentile to $135,876 at the 90th percentile — a $85,020 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,040, while senior veterinarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $120,900. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Veterinarian Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level veterinarian earns around $53,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $120,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,040
$-14,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,900
$-23,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,900
$-34,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $50,856
25th Percentile $62,712
Median (50th) $80,543
75th Percentile $104,832
90th Percentile $135,876

Veterinarian Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$88,804
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$87,771
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$84,673
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$82,608
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Veterinarian in Fort Smith

Education

Most veterinarian positions require a doctoral degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

DiagnosisSurgeryPharmacologyAnimal HandlingClient CommunicationRadiology

Job Outlook

Nationally, veterinarian employment is projected to grow 19% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Veterinarian Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open veterinarian positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Veterinarian Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Veterinarian make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median veterinarian salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $80,543 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $103,260. Salaries range from $50,856 (10th percentile) to $135,876 (90th percentile).
How much does a Veterinarian make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,543, a veterinarian in Fort Smith earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for veterinarian pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median veterinarian salary of $80,543 is 4.9% below the Arkansas state average of $84,673. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
Fort Smith has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a veterinarian salary of $80,543 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a veterinarian in Fort Smith? ▼
Most veterinarian positions in Fort Smith require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Diagnosis, Surgery, Pharmacology, Animal Handling. The job market is projected to grow 19% nationally over the next decade.