Highest-paying jobs in Arkansas
Answer
Dentists, General have the highest median pay in Arkansas, $178,930 a year, followed by purchasing managers ($156,450) and architectural and engineering managers ($140,600). The median for all jobs in Arkansas is $43,630, 50th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 44th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $43,630
- 50th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $20.98
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 86.9
- Median worth $50,186 at US prices (44th)
- Jobs
- 1,303,630
- 628 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Arkansas, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Arkansas are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Arkansas
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dentists, General | $178,930 | $86.02 | 1,210 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Purchasing Managers | $156,450 | $75.22 | 930 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $140,600 | $67.60 | 1,220 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Marketing Managers | $136,520 | $65.63 | 1,860 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Pharmacists | $136,060 | $65.41 | 2,900 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $127,220 | $61.16 | 3,420 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Nurse Practitioners | $125,660 | $60.41 | 3,970 | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| 8 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $124,890 | — | 2,080 | $107,310 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Chief Executives | $119,990 | $57.69 | 3,550 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Physician Assistants | $118,430 | $56.94 | 850 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 11 | Industrial Production Managers | $118,120 | $56.79 | 2,560 | $126,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Financial Managers | $116,570 | $56.05 | 7,120 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Computer Programmers | $111,840 | $53.77 | 1,050 | $100,390 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Computer Network Architects | $110,400 | $53.08 | 910 | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Data Scientists | $109,390 | $52.59 | 530 | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Human Resources Managers | $108,580 | $52.20 | 1,290 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Sales Managers | $108,330 | $52.08 | 3,710 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Veterinarians | $107,710 | $51.79 | 540 | $130,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 19 | Occupational Therapists | $106,360 | $51.14 | 2,160 | $100,330 | Master's degree |
| 20 | Statisticians | $105,720 | $50.83 | 570 | $105,650 | Master's degree |
| 21 | Software Developers | $104,490 | $50.23 | 6,050 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Information Security Analysts | $103,490 | $49.76 | 1,460 | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Physical Therapists | $99,010 | $47.60 | 2,680 | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 24 | Lawyers | $98,880 | $47.54 | 3,430 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 25 | Industrial Engineers | $98,410 | $47.31 | 1,710 | $102,440 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Arkansas without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $89,200 | $42.89 | 1,440 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $81,450 | $39.16 | 1,510 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Locomotive Engineers | $78,930 | $37.95 | 620 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,920 | $35.54 | 2,660 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $71,460 | $34.36 | 7,590 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $64,980 | $31.24 | 1,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $64,440 | $30.98 | 1,160 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $63,090 | $30.33 | 11,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,290 | $29.95 | 2,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $61,230 | $29.44 | 6,590 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $60,840 | $29.25 | 1,690 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $60,530 | $29.10 | 1,190 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $59,760 | $28.73 | 6,270 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Postal Service Mail Carriers | $59,700 | $28.70 | 3,030 | No formal educational credential |
| 15 | Postal Service Clerks | $59,490 | $28.60 | 970 | No formal educational credential |
Most common jobs in Arkansas
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 35,660 | $26,250 | $12.62 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 35,510 | $29,270 | $14.07 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | General and Operations Managers | 34,570 | $74,050 | $35.60 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 32,220 | $51,550 | $24.79 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 5 | Office Clerks, General | 29,940 | $37,050 | $17.81 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Registered Nurses | 29,400 | $78,940 | $37.95 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 28,350 | $34,700 | $16.68 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Cashiers | 28,270 | $27,670 | $13.30 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 21,430 | $35,920 | $17.27 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Customer Service Representatives | 20,680 | $37,840 | $18.19 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,840 | $27,660 | $13.30 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 19,490 | $29,750 | $14.30 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Waiters and Waitresses | 17,880 | $24,680 | $11.86 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Nursing Assistants | 17,260 | $34,430 | $16.55 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 15 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 13,630 | $58,100 | $27.93 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 12,890 | $59,660 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 12,740 | $55,120 | $26.50 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 12,590 | $52,700 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 12,510 | $42,840 | $20.60 | Some college, no degree |
| 20 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 12,460 | $36,990 | $17.78 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Arkansas
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | 7.8× | 1,650 | $35,310 |
| 2 | Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | 7.4× | 9,030 | $37,980 |
| 3 | Logging Equipment Operators | 7.3× | 1,280 | $48,280 |
| 4 | Helpers--Production Workers | 4.9× | 6,760 | $35,540 |
| 5 | Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 4.4× | 2,190 | $48,320 |
| 6 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | 4.4× | 1,580 | $45,250 |
| 7 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | 3.9× | 1,720 | $49,590 |
| 8 | Slaughterers and Meat Packers | 3.6× | 2,140 | $37,800 |
| 9 | Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | 3.6× | 1,240 | $36,740 |
| 10 | Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | 3.4× | 580 | $45,080 |
| 11 | Millwrights | 3.4× | 1,140 | $56,310 |
| 12 | Dental Laboratory Technicians | 2.9× | 840 | $49,960 |
What 130 careers pay in Arkansas
Click a heading to sort
| OB-GYN | $239,200+ | — | — | $292,910 | 160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | $422,060 | 10 | $485,478 | $328,730 | 40 |
| Neurologist | $317,880 | 16 | $365,644 | $248,560 | 70 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $262,470 | 27 | $301,908 | $358,550 | 350 |
| CRNA | $224,280 | 32 | $257,980 | $236,590 | — |
| Pathologist | $214,100 | 29 | $246,270 | $312,400 | 130 |
| Dentist | $178,930 | 18 | $205,816 | $170,950 | 1,210 |
| Airline Pilot | $168,970 | 21 | $194,359 | $232,140 | 250 |
| Pediatrician | $160,440 | 46 | $184,547 | $210,040 | 100 |
| Marketing Manager | $136,520 | 28 | $157,033 | $166,790 | 1,860 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | 42 | $156,504 | $140,910 | 2,900 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | 44 | $144,541 | $132,300 | 3,970 |
| Psychiatrist | $124,750 | 44 | $143,495 | $281,870 | 150 |
| Optometrist | $124,470 | 41 | $143,173 | $136,570 | 320 |
| Computer Engineer | $120,290 | 26 | $138,365 | $161,740 | 160 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,430 | 47 | $136,225 | $135,880 | 850 |
| Network Engineer | $110,400 | 37 | $126,989 | $134,050 | 910 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $109,760 | 34 | $126,252 | $148,080 | 80 |
| Data Scientist | $109,390 | 17 | $125,827 | $120,230 | 530 |
| HR Manager | $108,580 | 49 | $124,895 | $149,280 | 1,290 |
| Veterinarian | $107,710 | 39 | $123,894 | $130,100 | 540 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,360 | 8 | $122,341 | $100,330 | 2,160 |
| Chemical Engineer | $105,270 | 31 | $121,088 | $125,040 | 290 |
| Software Engineer | $104,490 | 47 | $120,190 | $135,980 | 6,050 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $103,490 | 36 | $119,040 | $129,180 | 1,460 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $102,040 | 37 | $117,372 | $134,960 | 180 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | 39 | $113,887 | $102,760 | 2,680 |
| Lawyer | $98,880 | 50 | $113,738 | $159,670 | 3,430 |
| Audiologist | $96,980 | 26 | $111,552 | $95,780 | 110 |
| Electrical Engineer | $96,860 | 48 | $111,414 | $120,630 | 900 |
| Commercial Pilot | $94,410 | 47 | $108,596 | $123,220 | 460 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $94,340 | 51 | $108,515 | $123,860 | 6,440 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,760 | 39 | $99,796 | $98,100 | 1,740 |
| School Principal | $86,330 | 47 | $99,302 | $105,870 | 2,760 |
| Construction Manager | $86,310 | 51 | $99,279 | $114,990 | 2,280 |
| Civil Engineer | $85,020 | 50 | $97,795 | $100,840 | 1,870 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $83,580 | 36 | $96,139 | $97,870 | 2,430 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $81,500 | 45 | $93,746 | $96,590 | 640 |
| Lineman | $81,450 | 40 | $93,689 | $95,320 | 1,510 |
| Financial Analyst | $81,110 | 46 | $93,297 | $102,740 | 1,390 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $80,180 | 51 | $92,228 | $104,110 | 1,410 |
| Financial Advisor | $79,420 | 39 | $91,354 | $105,070 | 1,320 |
| Radiation Therapist | $78,950 | 45 | $90,813 | $105,310 | 80 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | 47 | $90,801 | $97,550 | 29,400 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $78,940 | 47 | $90,801 | $97,550 | 29,400 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $78,940 | 47 | $90,801 | $97,550 | 29,400 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $78,940 | 47 | $90,801 | $97,550 | 29,400 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $78,940 | 47 | $90,801 | $97,550 | 29,400 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $78,940 | 47 | $90,801 | $97,550 | 29,400 |
| MRI Technician | $78,780 | 47 | $90,617 | $95,480 | 380 |
| Architect | $78,190 | 50 | $89,939 | $99,280 | 720 |
| Psychologist | $77,520 | 41 | $89,168 | $100,580 | 370 |
| Project Manager | $77,170 | 51 | $88,765 | $102,320 | 5,510 |
| Chiropractor | $76,290 | 29 | $87,753 | $79,200 | 320 |
| Radiologist | $75,600 | 34 | $86,960 | $420,860 | 150 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $74,800 | 30 | $86,039 | $74,310 | 410 |
| Operations Manager | $74,050 | 51 | $85,177 | $105,770 | 34,570 |
| Claims Adjuster | $73,920 | 36 | $85,027 | $78,000 | 2,660 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,870 | 44 | $84,970 | $82,280 | 1,400 |
| Business Analyst | $72,950 | 50 | $83,911 | $101,860 | 6,250 |
| Meteorologist | $71,940 | 45 | $82,750 | $99,070 | — |
| Loan Officer | $70,260 | 36 | $80,817 | $76,690 | 2,610 |
| Interior Designer | $69,990 | 12 | $80,507 | $67,190 | 740 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $67,850 | 37 | $78,045 | $109,370 | 30 |
| Train Conductor | $67,710 | 26 | $77,884 | $78,000 | 390 |
| Accountant | $66,330 | 51 | $76,297 | $83,680 | 7,870 |
| Nutritionist | $65,540 | 44 | $75,388 | $76,400 | 650 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $65,420 | 44 | $75,250 | $79,870 | 720 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,520 | 28 | $74,215 | $68,380 | 1,620 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $64,340 | 21 | $74,008 | $66,940 | 80 |
| School Psychologist | $64,030 | 50 | $73,651 | $95,990 | 440 |
| Radiology Technician | $63,640 | 49 | $73,202 | $80,110 | 2,210 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $61,530 | 36 | $70,775 | $109,910 | 60 |
| TSA Officer | $61,110 | 38 | $70,292 | $66,770 | 190 |
| School Counselor | $59,770 | 35 | $68,751 | $64,330 | 2,310 |
| Mail Carrier | $59,700 | 36 | $68,670 | $60,550 | 3,030 |
| High School Teacher | $59,660 | 44 | $68,624 | $72,040 | 12,890 |
| Court Reporter | $59,180 | 31 | $68,072 | $72,420 | 130 |
| Surgical Technician | $57,400 | 46 | $66,025 | $64,650 | 1,640 |
| Athletic Trainer | $57,240 | 46 | $65,841 | $62,520 | 240 |
| Librarian | $56,800 | 45 | $65,335 | $68,270 | 1,490 |
| Insurance Agent | $56,720 | 42 | $65,243 | $62,280 | 4,580 |
| LPN | $56,620 | 48 | $65,128 | $64,400 | 10,010 |
| HR Specialist | $55,010 | 51 | $63,276 | $75,940 | 6,230 |
| Detective | $54,500 | 51 | $62,689 | $93,790 | 560 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $52,700 | 47 | $60,619 | $63,970 | 12,590 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $52,330 | 49 | $60,193 | $61,770 | 4,090 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $51,580 | 46 | $59,330 | $59,350 | 2,570 |
| Truck Driver | $51,550 | 45 | $59,296 | $58,640 | 32,220 |
| Web Developer | $50,550 | 44 | $58,146 | $92,650 | 400 |
| Paramedic | $50,310 | 46 | $57,869 | $60,600 | 1,170 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $49,670 | 47 | $57,133 | $62,930 | 3,180 |
| Electrician | $49,070 | 51 | $56,443 | $63,190 | 7,500 |
| Plumber | $48,660 | 51 | $55,972 | $63,800 | 3,370 |
| HVAC Technician | $48,110 | 51 | $55,339 | $61,010 | 4,960 |
| Welder | $47,970 | 51 | $55,178 | $53,750 | 6,150 |
| Carpenter | $47,760 | 50 | $54,936 | $60,580 | 4,030 |
| Private Investigator | $47,750 | 30 | $54,925 | $51,220 | 370 |
| Police Officer | $47,670 | 50 | $54,833 | $76,210 | 5,710 |
| Paralegal | $47,420 | 49 | $54,545 | $62,890 | 1,610 |
| IT Support Specialist | $46,360 | 51 | $53,326 | $61,860 | 4,390 |
| Graphic Designer | $46,220 | 48 | $53,165 | $62,960 | 1,390 |
| Chef | $46,170 | 50 | $53,107 | $62,470 | 880 |
| Forensic Scientist | $44,670 | 41 | $51,382 | $72,060 | 100 |
| Auto Mechanic | $44,160 | 49 | $50,795 | $50,620 | 7,310 |
| Dental Assistant | $42,830 | 46 | $49,266 | $48,070 | 2,950 |
| Personal Trainer | $42,140 | 36 | $48,472 | $47,160 | 1,390 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $41,740 | 50 | $48,012 | $51,140 | 1,920 |
| Crane Operator | $41,600 | 50 | $47,851 | $68,080 | 880 |
| Correctional Officer | $40,330 | 47 | $46,390 | $58,940 | 4,460 |
| Massage Therapist | $39,990 | 47 | $45,999 | $58,450 | 430 |
| Firefighter | $39,690 | 44 | $45,654 | $59,280 | 2,480 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,680 | 50 | $44,492 | $45,750 | 4,560 |
| Vet Tech | $38,360 | 47 | $44,124 | $47,380 | 320 |
| Real Estate Agent | $38,180 | 48 | $43,917 | $52,830 | 1,640 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $38,100 | 47 | $43,825 | $47,700 | 320 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,760 | 47 | $43,434 | $45,690 | 5,150 |
| Construction Worker | $37,630 | 50 | $43,284 | $47,120 | 10,650 |
| Bus Driver | $37,520 | 51 | $43,158 | $59,050 | 570 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,450 | 48 | $43,077 | $45,230 | 1,100 |
| Esthetician | $36,520 | 48 | $42,007 | $45,330 | 340 |
| EMT | $36,230 | 46 | $41,674 | $44,470 | 1,120 |
| Mortician | $36,120 | 48 | $41,547 | $55,010 | 360 |
| Garbage Collector | $35,640 | 49 | $40,995 | $49,690 | 1,600 |
| CNA | $34,430 | 48 | $39,603 | $42,260 | 17,260 |
| Substitute Teacher | $29,230 | 43 | $33,622 | $41,670 | 2,560 |
| Cosmetologist | $28,830 | 48 | $33,162 | $35,790 | 1,410 |
| Nail Technician | $27,690 | 47 | $31,851 | $35,760 | 230 |
| Barber | $25,640 | 34 | $29,493 | $38,210 | 170 |
| Bartender | $25,090 | 42 | $28,860 | $34,340 | 3,020 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.