Childcare Worker salary in Arkansas
Childcare Workers in Arkansas earn a median of $28,450 a year ($13.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,640 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $34,980. Arkansas ranks 42nd of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 4.1 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,940 | $11.51 |
| 25th percentile | $26,750 | $12.86 |
| Median | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| 75th percentile | $30,470 | $14.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,640 | $16.18 |
| Average (mean) | $28,930 | $13.91 |
Half of childcare workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,370.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,185.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,094.23 |
| Weekly | $547.12 |
| Hourly | $13.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Childcare Worker salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $30,210 | 1,060 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,360 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $28,860 | 2,780 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $28,800 | 1,550 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $28,550 | 500 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $27,940 | 360 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $24,680 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for childcare workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 |
| Washington | $41,680 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 |
| Colorado | $40,750 |
| California | $40,020 |
| Oregon | $38,650 |
| Vermont | $38,030 |
| New York | $37,590 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $27,770 | $13.35 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,230 | $14.54 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,830 | $13.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Gambling Dealer | $28,380 | $13.65 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $27,690 | $13.31 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Arkansas?
The median salary for childcare workers in Arkansas is $28,450 a year, or $13.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Arkansas earn at least $33,640 a year. The top 25% earn $30,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,940 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $26,750 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Arkansas?
About 5,400 childcare workers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.