Paralegal Salary in Arkansas: $49,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $49,977/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,511 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jacksonville ($54,256), Bentonville ($53,990), Benton ($53,539).
In 2026, the average median salary for paralegals in Arkansas is projected to be $49,977, significantly lower than the national median of $65,097, resulting in a gap of 23.2%. The highest-paying city for this profession is Jacksonville, where salaries are forecasted to reach $56,160, while Jonesboro is at the lower end with $47,118. The disparity in pay between these cities can be attributed to factors such as the local demand for legal services, the concentration of law firms, and the cost of living. Arkansas does not require state licensing for paralegals, though many employers prefer candidates with formal education or certification. The scope of practice laws in Arkansas align with national standards, allowing paralegals to perform a range of legal tasks under the supervision of attorneys. The total employment for paralegals in the state is expected to reach 1,387, with an annual growth rate of 3.51%, reflecting ongoing demand for legal support roles. Key factors driving this demand include increasing legal complexity, corporate growth, and population shifts toward urban areas where legal services are more concentrated. Overall, the job market for paralegals in Arkansas is set to grow, offering various opportunities across different cities.
Arkansas Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $34,838 (lowest entry-level) to $87,049 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas paralegals earn 23.23% less than the national median ($-15,120/year difference).
Arkansas Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Arkansas range from $38,725 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,931 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,977. The Arkansas median is $15,120 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $24.03/hr. Approximately 1,387 paralegals are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,197
2025 BLS Actual
$48,282
2026 Current Est.
$49,977
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,197 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,893 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,184 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,134 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,731 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 26.4% from $38,197 (2019) to $48,282 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,534 (35.43%) 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 3.51% 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 |
|---|---|
| Jonesboro | $47,118 |
| Fort Smith | $48,256 |
| Conway | $48,315 |
| North Little Rock | $48,635 |
| Little Rock | $49,364 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $56,160 | 86.9 | $64,626 |
| Bentonville | $55,885 | 86.9 | $64,310 |
| Benton | $55,418 | 86.9 | $63,772 |
| Hot Springs | $55,366 | 86.9 | $63,712 |
| Paragould | $55,261 | 86.9 | $63,591 |
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) | $38,725 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,977 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,931 |
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 | Jacksonville | $56,160 |
| 2 | Bentonville | $55,885 |
| 3 | Benton | $55,418 |
| 4 | Hot Springs | $55,366 |
| 5 | Paragould | $55,261 |
| 6 | Pine Bluff | $55,216 |
| 7 | Sherwood | $54,962 |
| 8 | Russellville | $54,673 |
| 9 | Cabot | $54,427 |
| 10 | Texarkana | $53,980 |
| 11 | Searcy | $53,858 |
| 12 | Bryant | $53,454 |
| 13 | Van Buren | $52,510 |
| 14 | Rogers | $51,897 |
| 15 | Springdale | $51,861 |
| 16 | Fayetteville | $51,061 |
| 17 | Little Rock | $49,364 |
| 18 | North Little Rock | $48,635 |
| 19 | Conway | $48,315 |
| 20 | Fort Smith | $48,256 |
| 21 | Jonesboro | $47,118 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Arkansas?
How many paralegals are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for paralegals?
Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
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 3.51% 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 paralegal compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute 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 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov