Arkansas's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Arkansas is $11.00 an hour, $3.75 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $22,880 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $20,074 a year, or $772.06 every two weeks.
What the Arkansas minimum wage pays
| At $11.00 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $11.00 |
| Per 8-hour day | $88.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $440.00 |
| Every two weeks | $880.00 |
| Per month | $1,906.67 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $22,880.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $772.06 |
| Take-home per year | $20,073.56 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Arkansas income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $11,440 a year and about $10,527 after taxes.
Arkansas minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 an hour, unchanged since January 1, 2021. It covers employers with 4 or more employees; if both state and federal law apply, the higher rate wins. No change has been announced. | Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Minimum Wage and Overtime |
| Tipped workers | Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.63 an hour in cash, with tips making up the rest of the $11.00 minimum wage. | Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Minimum Wage and Overtime |
| Overtime | Non-exempt employees get 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Arkansas has no daily overtime, so a long single day does not count unless the week goes over 40. | Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Minimum Wage and Overtime |
How Arkansas's minimum wage compares
Arkansas has the 28th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC, tied with Ohio.
The typical (median) worker in Arkansas earns $20.98 an hour, so the minimum wage is 52% of the median wage. 10% of Arkansas workers earn less than $12.99 an hour and 25% less than $15.33 (BLS, May 2025, all 1,303,630 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Arkansas, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $11.86 | 17,880 |
| Bartenders | $12.06 | 3,020 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $12.62 | 35,660 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $12.87 | 3,110 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $12.91 | 2,250 |
| Dishwashers | $13.24 | 2,630 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $22,880 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | $301 |
| 1 child | $4,427 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $7,316 | $7,316 |
| 3 children or more | $8,231 | $8,231 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $22,880 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $572 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,144. Source
Arkansas minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Arkansas?
$11.00 an hour.
How much is the Arkansas minimum wage a year?
$22,880 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $1,907 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $20,074.
How much is the Arkansas minimum wage after taxes?
About $772.06 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Arkansas taxes.
Is Arkansas's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the Arkansas minimum wage?
$16.50 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Virginia minimum wage ($12.77) · Nevada minimum wage ($12.00) · New Mexico minimum wage ($12.00) · South Dakota minimum wage ($11.85) · Minnesota minimum wage ($11.41) · Ohio minimum wage ($11.00) · Montana minimum wage ($10.85) · West Virginia minimum wage ($8.75)
Related
Arkansas paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $11.00
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.