Arkansas wages
South region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, Arkansas has a median annual wage of $41,020 and a mean of $53,070 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — -17.1% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #50 of 51 states by mean wage. About 1,288,810 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in Arkansas is Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates ($192,910 median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in Arkansas: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in Arkansas for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | Arkansas median | US median | Arkansas jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $96,820 | $133,080 | 6,390 |
| Registered Nurses | $77,130 | $93,600 | 28,320 |
| Electricians | $49,420 | $62,350 | 8,670 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,520 | $57,440 | 32,290 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $64,180 | $81,680 | 7,710 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $50,550 | $62,340 | 12,510 |
| Lawyers | $86,970 | $151,160 | 3,500 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $49,700 | $62,970 | 3,080 |
| Pharmacists | $134,230 | $137,480 | 3,100 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,090 | $76,290 | 5,490 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in Arkansas
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in Arkansas, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $192,910 | $181,800 |
| 2 | Dentists, General | $172,490 | $178,290 |
| 3 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $165,980 | $158,600 |
| 4 | Public Relations Managers | $140,970 | $158,470 |
| 5 | Pharmacists | $134,230 | $132,090 |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $132,660 | $140,790 |
| 7 | Marketing Managers | $127,320 | $135,600 |
| 8 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $118,230 | $128,400 |
| 9 | Nurse Practitioners | $113,660 | $116,030 |
| 10 | Computer Network Architects | $109,900 | $121,150 |
| 11 | Data Scientists | $104,320 | $104,560 |
| 12 | Aerospace Engineers | $103,900 | $101,650 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in Arkansas?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Arkansas is $41,020 and the mean is $53,070 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is -17.1% versus the US median of $49,500. Arkansas ranks #50 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in Arkansas include Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates ($192,910), Dentists, General ($172,490), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($165,980). See the full list on this page.
Are Arkansas wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. Arkansas's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within Arkansas. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20