"How long does it take to become a veterinary technician in Arkansas?"

"Most paths into the veterinary technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"What apprenticeships are available for veterinary technicians in Arkansas?"

"In Arkansas, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Veterinary Technician in Arkansas

Q: "How much do veterinary technicians earn in Arkansas?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary technicians in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,360. Employment concentration in Arkansas is roughly 0.30 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "Do veterinary technicians need a license in Arkansas?"

"Yes. Arkansas requires state-level licensing or registration for veterinary technicians, administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

Q: "What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Arkansas?"

"Arkansas currently employs approximately 320 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $38,360 ($18.44/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 320 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -19.0% below the national median of $47,380 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $38,360 ($18.44/hr)
25th percentile: $32,360 per year
75th percentile: $43,940 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $47,820 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $27,250 per year
Workers employed in Arkansas: 320
Versus national median: -19.0% below the U.S. median of $47,380
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.30 - this occupation is less concentrated in Arkansas than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Arkansas employs approximately 320 veterinary technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,360 ¹. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a veterinary technician in Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Technician in Arkansas

How do I become a veterinary technician in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Veterinary Technician, Non-Veterinarian Embryo Transfer Technician, Veterinarian. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for veterinary technicians. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do veterinary technicians earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Arkansas is $38,360 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,250 and experienced professionals can earn $47,820 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Median wage (Arkansas): $38,360 per year ¹
Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Veterinary Technician License Requirements in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board oversees veterinary technician licensing in Arkansas ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Veterinary Technician	A veterinary technician or technologist (vet tech) is knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and routine laboratory and clinical pro…
Non-Veterinarian Embryo Transfer Technician	A Non-Veterinarian Embryo Transfer Technician primarily works with cattle and should have the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities required to proficiently extract, grade, freeze, thaw, and transfer…
Veterinarian	Doctors of Veterinary Medicine diagnose and treat numerous diseases and injuries in animals.
Commission Veterinarian (Thoroughbred Racing)	The Commission Veterinarian is appointed by the Racing Commission and is a veterinarian licensed to practice under the laws of Arkansas and be in good standing.
Track Veterinarian (Thoroughbred Racing)	The Track Veterinarian shall be on the grounds at pre-post weighing in time and during all racing hours.

Additional Requirements

Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
Exam: Third-party exam required
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Veterinary Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary technologists and technicians wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	260	$39,710	$43,090	$33,640	$55,350
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	70	$40,770	$40,770	$27,210	$55,100
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	70	$39,070	$39,490	$27,410	$50,550

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Veterinary technicians in Arkansas

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary technician employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	70	$40,770
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	70	$39,070

Explore More Trades in Arkansas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for veterinary technicians in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 320 veterinary technicians ¹. Nationally, veterinary technician employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a veterinary technician in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas.

How much do veterinary technicians earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary technicians in Arkansas is $38,360, which is $7,620 below the national median of $45,980 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Medical Examining Board - Licensing Information: https://www.arvetboard.statesolutions.us ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)