Bookkeeper salary and cost of hiring in Arkansas
The median bookkeeper in Arkansas earned $42,840 a year in May 2025[1], 15.5% below the US median of $50,670. That puts Arkansas at #50 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3031. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $28,130 | $42,840 | $62,230 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in Arkansas earns $36,020–$51,100; the top tenth earns $62,230 or more, 2.2 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Arkansas median that makes about $61,200 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Arkansas
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $54,510 | 2,460 | |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $54,080 | 960 | |
| Jonesboro, AR | $54,150 | 470 | |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $54,810 | 3,480 | |
| West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $50,560 | 650 | |
| South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $48,290 | 990 | |
| East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $48,540 | 570 | |
| North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $47,720 | 1,130 | |
| Hot Springs, AR | $46,520 | 360 |
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR pays the most ($45,830) and Hot Springs, AR the least ($38,450): $7,380 a year apart for the same job.
What a bookkeeper does
A bookkeeper records the company's transactions, reconciles bank accounts, keeps receivables and payables in order and prepares the books for the accountant.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | +4.2% | |
| West Virginia | +0.1% | |
| Arkansas | +0.0% | |
| Mississippi | +0.0% |
Questions
How much does a bookkeeper earn in Arkansas?
The median was $42,840 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $36,020 to $51,100.
What does it cost to employ a bookkeeper in Arkansas?
About $61,200 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Arkansas do bookkeepers earn the most?
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR, with a median of $45,830 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.