verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Firefighter Salary in Arkansas

Median Annual in Arkansas
$39,690/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$19.08/hr
▼ 33% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Arkansas

groups Employed in AR
2,480
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$45,654 #42 of 50

Firefighter pay in Arkansas, explained

Firefighters in Arkansas earn a median of $39,690 per year ($19.08 per hour), which is 33% below the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $28,680, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $60,860. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Arkansas.

Is $39,690 good pay in Arkansas?

Adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living (which runs 87% of the U.S. average), that $39,690 is worth about $45,654 in national buying power — ranking Arkansas #42 for real pay (vs #44 on the sticker number).

See the full Firefighter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Firefighter pay by experience in Arkansas

Entry level (10th pct)
$28,680
$13.79/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$39,690
$19.08/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$60,860
$29.26/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs AR
Arkansas (here) $39,690 $45,654
Texas $60,180 $62,005 −$20,490
Oklahoma $49,710 $56,590 −$10,020
Tennessee $49,300 $53,663 −$9,610
Missouri $49,080 $54,043 −$9,390
Mississippi $35,880 $41,264 +$3,810
Louisiana $33,120 $37,548 +$6,570

Firefighter in Arkansas: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in Arkansas?

Firefighters in Arkansas earn a median of $39,690 per year ($19.08 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does Arkansas pay firefighters well?

At $39,690, Arkansas pays 33% below the national median for firefighters. An estimated 2,480 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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