Accountant Salary in Arkansas: $71,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $71,116/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $81,837 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($78,453), Springdale ($78,397), Fayetteville ($77,190).
In 2026, the average median salary for accountants in Arkansas is projected to be $71,116, which is significantly lower than the national median of $85,864, reflecting a gap of 17.2%. Within the state, salaries vary widely across different cities, with Rogers offering the highest average pay at $80,501, while Hot Springs comes in at the lowest with $61,330. This $19,171 difference can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for accounting professionals, and the concentration of businesses requiring financial services. Arkansas has specific state licensing requirements for accountants, which may influence employment opportunities and salary levels. Accountants here generally operate under similar scope of practice laws as in other states, but local economic conditions can drive demand. The employment outlook is steady, with a projected growth rate of 2.61% for accountants annually. The job market shows promise, particularly in metropolitan areas like Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville, where salaries reflect the higher demand for skilled professionals. As the state continues to develop economically, the demand for accounting services is likely to persist, affecting salary trajectories in the coming years.
Arkansas Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $42,009 (lowest entry-level) to $137,867 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas accountants earn 17.18% less than the national median ($-14,748/year difference).
Arkansas Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Arkansas range from $48,597 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $122,003 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,116. The Arkansas median is $14,748 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $34.19/hr. Approximately 5,761 accountants are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,070
2025 BLS Actual
$69,307
2026 Current Est.
$71,116
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,823 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,294 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,696 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,307 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 11.7% from $62,070 (2019) to $69,307 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,902 (17.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hot Springs | $61,330 |
| Van Buren | $62,681 |
| Bryant | $63,809 |
| Searcy | $64,291 |
| Fort Smith | $64,634 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $80,501 | 86.9 | $92,636 |
| Springdale | $80,443 | 86.9 | $92,570 |
| Fayetteville | $79,205 | 91.353 | $86,702 |
| Texarkana | $70,656 | 86.9 | $81,307 |
| Jonesboro | $67,723 | 85.876 | $78,861 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,597 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $71,116 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $122,003 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $80,501 |
| 2 | Springdale | $80,443 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $79,205 |
| 4 | Texarkana | $70,656 |
| 5 | Jonesboro | $67,723 |
| 6 | Little Rock | $67,528 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $67,040 |
| 8 | Bentonville | $66,711 |
| 9 | North Little Rock | $66,531 |
| 10 | Benton | $66,155 |
| 11 | Conway | $66,093 |
| 12 | Paragould | $65,966 |
| 13 | Pine Bluff | $65,914 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $65,609 |
| 15 | Russellville | $65,263 |
| 16 | Cabot | $64,970 |
| 17 | Fort Smith | $64,634 |
| 18 | Searcy | $64,291 |
| 19 | Bryant | $63,809 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $62,681 |
| 21 | Hot Springs | $61,330 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced accountants.
Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in Arkansas?
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Which Arkansas city offers the best value for accountants?
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov